Category Archives: On The Fence

DOMAINE CLAVEL SYRIUS SAINT GERVAIS 2017, AOP Saint Gervais, Côtes du Rhônes, France

21 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint Gervais, Côtes du Rhônes
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Clavel
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerful, full body wine with lots of sweet fruit notes & spices. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, raisins, cherry pie, cloves, cinnamon, Allspice, white pepper & tomato leaves.   

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Wild Boar.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: March 20, 2021

LCBO: 18144

SAND POINT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Lodi, California, United States of America

25 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until Feb 28, 2021: $14.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: Lodi, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lange Twiins Family Vineyards
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a fruit gusher. An easy drinking Cali Cab Sauv without the high alcohol now common with red wines from California. Score:  86/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: plum, cherry, blueberry pie, ripe tamarind, cloves & cassis.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Sticky Tamarind Beef.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: February 23, 2021

LCBO: 11193

MCMANIS CHARDONNAY 2019, River Junction, California, United States of America

22 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: River Junction, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: McManis Family Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Just slightly better than your typical mass-produced Cali Chard, but at a higher price point. Score: 86 /100

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with moderate acidity, medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, yellow apples, banana, peach, pineapple, buttered popcorn & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Pineapple Pork Stir Fry

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: February 21, 2021

LCBO: 265983

BEAUTY IN CHAOS CHARDONNAY 2018, Washington State, United States of America

13 Saturday Feb 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beauty in Chaos
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of citric fruits but I’m on the fence with this Chard as it’s simple & not impressive, therefore I feel that it’s overpriced. Should be under $10. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, grapefruit, mandarin & green apples.      

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years & pair it with Lemon Garlic Roast Pork

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: February 13, 2021

LCBO: 15840

THREE THIEVES CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

16 Saturday Jan 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Three Thieves Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

If you can get past the slight bitter aftertaste, this Chard isn’t that bad. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, orange pith, peach, pear, green apples, figs, vanilla & ginger.

Negatives: A touch too bitter on the aftertaste

Interesting Point: 2017 vintage that I reviewed last year was a lot better.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years & pair it with Chicken Thighs with Orange-Ginger Glaze.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: January 15, 2021

LCBO: 633560

LAS MULAS RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2018, Chile

12 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Jan 31, 2021: $11.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Miguel Torres
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking Chard with some complexity. I would recommend this wine at the sale price of $11.95, but on the fence at its current price of $14.95. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, melon, pear, peach, marzipan, light oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: Slight sour note at the back of the throat

Interesting Point: Certified organic

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with a Rueben sandwich on Rye with Sour Pickles.

My Opinion: On-The-Fence

Tasted: January 11, 2021

LCBO: 572362

BERINGER FOUNDERS’ ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

09 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by in On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price: $14.95 until Jan 3, 2021)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Balanced between the fruit, oak & at least it’s under the usual high alcohol now commonly found in Cali Chards. Unfortunately for me, there’s too much marzipan & mustard greens on the finish, which detracts from any pleasure I get. However, with the right food pairing that could change. Score: 85/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, cooked apples, marzipan, pear, fig, vanilla & mustard greens on the finish.

Negatives: Too much marzipan & mustard greens on the finish.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years & pair it with Spicy Pork and Mustard Greens Soup.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: December 9, 2020

LCBO: 534230

THE GOOD WINE PINOT 2017, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Saturday Nov 2020

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

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Cost: $32.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Good Earth Winery
Alcohol:  13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, tart Pinot that nice to drink with food, just don’t think it’s price right. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with high acidity, a low intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features Bing & sour cherry, rhubarb, pomegranate, mushrooms & peat moss.  

Negatives: The price

Interesting Point: The Good Earth Winery has a great restaurant, and I’ve never had a bad experience.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with the Winery’s Bistro’s Duck Confit: Jerusalem Artichoke & Celeriac Mash, Fried Brussels Sprouts, Chilies, Pickled Butternut Squash, White Wine Jus.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: November 14, 2020

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY WINE 101 RED, 2019 VQA Ontario, Canada

07 Friday Aug 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: 50% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 9% Baco Noir, 9% Gamay Noir, 7% Pinot Noir, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A mishmash of red wines makes this on the sweeter side but has some nice spice to add some complexity. Score: 85/100

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with average acidity, a medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a length on the finish. Wine features plum, Kirsch, blueberry pie, Bing cherries, raspberry, ripe tamarinds, black tea, raspberries & Allspice.

Negatives: Comes across a little like a commercial California red wine.

Interesting Point: This is where the quality of the stemware is important as if you use high quality glassware it will accentuate the negatives in this wine, therefore use the traditional Italian table wine glassware, just a glass will do.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Moroccan spiced lamb chops with allspice and thyme.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: August 7, 2020

LONGSHOT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, California, United States of America

26 Tuesday May 2020

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.00 (Sale price until May 24, 2020: $14.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E & J Gallo
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This ain’t half bad for a commercially produced California Cab Sauvignon

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features sweet plums, blueberry jam, black cherries, blackberries, espresso, vanilla and cloves.

Negatives: Has just enough jammy sweetness that makes it on the fence for me.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with mushroom, sautéed onions, cheese burger.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: May 26, 2020

LCBO: 633347