Category Archives: On The Fence

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

YALUMBA THE STRAPPER GSM 2016, Barossa Valley, Australia

01 Friday May 2020

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro (Mourvèdre)
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see a Shiraz from Australia that is under 14% alcohol, unfortunately for my taste it has a little too much jammy notes, but those that like low tannin wines will like this wine

Tasting Note: Medium to light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, low tannin & average length on the finish. Wine features plum, blueberry pie, strawberry jam & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with seared venison with blueberry sauce.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: May 1, 2020

LCBO: 295873

REDSTONE LIMESTONE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Monday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Redstone
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A Chard that has some positives but a little heavy on the oak & a little pricey

Tasting Note: Bright straw to gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & an average length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, cantaloupe, lemon-lime, oak spice, ginger & limestone.

Negatives: Not crazy about the marzipan notes in this wine

Interesting Point: Limestone vineyard is farmed sustained

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Cornish Hen.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: April 20, 2020

FLAT ROCK CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Tuesday Feb 2020

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until March 1, 2020: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

Middle of the road Ontario Chard that should please those that enjoy the heavier oak style and those that like the crisp unoaked style

Positives: Bright gold in colour this wine features light butter, lemon, green apples, pear, honeydew melon, ginger, some oak spice and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Not as good as their 2015 vintage, which I reviewed back in 2017

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with grilled chicken.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: February 25, 2020

LCBO: 286278

MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SELECT SERIES SYARH GRENACHE NV, France

11 Tuesday Feb 2020

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.15 (Sale price Feb 2020: $13.15)
Grape: Syrah-Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: Magnotta Winery
Country: France & Canada
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol:  13% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple and not half bad

Positives: Dark ruby in colour this wine features plum, cherry, red apples, white pepper with light tannins.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now on its own or pair it with stewed meats.

My Opinion: On the fence

Tasted: February 11, 2020

RCABERNET CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, California

10 Monday Feb 2020

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: V Vines
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

For a generic California Cab, there’s lots of positives, such as the alcohol is under 14% & it isn’t flabby or sweet, but it doesn’t encourage me to buy it again at this price.

Positives: Ruby to purple in colour, this wine features dark cherry chocolate, mocha, blackberry, plum, baking spice, turmeric and graphite.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The wine didn’t hold up with steak as it made it flabby. It can’t take the protein in red meats.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Country Style Potato Salad drizzled with Bourbon BBQ Sauce.

My Opinion: On the fence

Tasted: February 10, 2020

LCBO: 13181

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