Category Archives: Recommended

MAGNOTTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CALIFORNIA, California, United States

17 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $10.50 (sale price: $9.50 until April 30, 2019)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & red blends
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the best generic inexpensive California Cab Sauv on the market, as it’s smooth but not sweet, not high in alcohol, fruit forward yet has some complexity to it, and it’s pleasant to drink

Positives: Medium to full body with light tannin featuring black currants, cherry, raspberry, sage, tomato leaves, vanilla and a touch of leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1) I usually abhor these generic reds especially ones that Magnotta has from outside Canada, but I like this one for BBQs, or opening a 2nd, 3rd wine? 2) There is no vintage on the label, 3) 75% of this wine is Cabernet Sauvignon from California with the rest are red grapes from Niagara, 4) New label, which is a lot nicer than the old one.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with anything from the BBQ.

My Opinion: Recommended

Amazing Buy

Tasted: April 11, 2019

WESTCOTT RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

30 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Champagne, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $46.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking Pinot full of flavour but over priced

Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry, mulberry, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and red roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill the wine to 15C

Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with roasted duck.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: March 30, 2019

KACABA MERLOT 2013, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

16 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid quality & nicely aged Canadian Merlot

Positives: This medium to full body wine features dark cherry, raspberry, elderberry, anise, cassis, cinnamon, mocha, tomato leaves and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with slow roasted brisket.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 16, 2019

MAGNOTTA FLEUR D’OR NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

24 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $25.15
Grape: Riesling, Vidal
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An off-dry sparkling that is well balanced, has substance & easy to drink

Positives: Yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, which features lemon zest, yellow apples, pineapple, peach and pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1) I do like the gold bottle with the elongated neck, 2) The new Venture Series sparkling in the LCBOs is now $1 more, so I recommend you can go to the Magnotta stores.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple years on its own or pair it with strawberries

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 24, 2019

DUFOULEUR PÈRE & FILS BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Aoc à Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy, France

10 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Aligoté
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: à Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dufouleur Pere & Fils
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple yet pleasant sparkling wine made in the traditional method

Positives: Pale gold in colour with fine mousse that features light yeast & buttered toast, lemon, peach, pear and Spy apples.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with strawberries

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 10, 2019

LCBO: 631762

DOMAINE MONTROSE PRESTIGE ROSÉ 2017, IGP Côtes De Thongue, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

01 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 70% Grenache, 25% Rolle, 5% Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes De Thongue, Languedoc-Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Montrose
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, dry with a nice citric & mineral flavour

Positives: Pale apricot in colour featuring tangerine, apricot, strawberry and shale.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Old Grenache planted on pebbly siliceous clay terrace. Rolle selected on a dark volcanic hillside.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with grilled guinea fowl breast with roasted vine tomatoes and crispy ham.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 1, 2019

LCBO: 491076

PONDVIEW BELLA TERRA CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nicely balanced, oak inspired Chard

Positives: Medium+ body wine featuring lemon rind, pineapple, golden apples, peach, pear, roasted almonds and oak spice.

Negatives: Has a touch of lemon white pith causing a slight bitterness, which caused my to downgrade this wine from highly recommended to recommended.

Interesting Point: I like the old style label

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster and drawn butter.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 25, 2019

CHAMPAGNE LE MESNIL BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU BRUT NV, AOC Côtes des Blanc, Champagne, France

12 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Champagne, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended

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Cost: $75.00 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: The Tasting Room & Wine Cellar
Country: France
Region: Côtes des Blanc, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Mesnil
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic expression of Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Positives: Rich, crisp and yeasty Champagne featuring a fine mousse, buttered brioche, green and yellow apples, lemon rind, cucumber and limestone

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: – 90% 2014 harvest, 5% 2013 harvest, 5% 2010 harvest

-Bottled in April 2015, minimum 3 years aged in cellar

-Disgorged in 2018 as Brut with sugar dosage 9 g/l)

-100% of vineyards of Le Mesnil sur Oger are ranked as Grand Cru

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10-15 of years on its own or pair it with crispy fried calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 12, 2019

QUINTA DA AVELEDA VINHO VERDE 2016, DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal

08 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $12.45
Grape: 70% Loureiro, 30% Alvarinho
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Portugal
Region: Vinho Verde
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quinta Da Aveleda
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A refreshing wine that’s crisp and light in body

Positives: Granny Smith apple, gooseberry, passion fruit, honeydew melon and limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with red snapper ceviche

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 8, 2019

LCBO: 89995

STAGS’ LEAP WINERY CHARDONNAY 2016, Napa Valley, California, United States

07 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by in Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stags’ Leap Winery
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich Chard full of expression

Positives: Full body wine featuring lemon, guava, gooseberry, pineapple, crème brûlée, white peach, green & red apples, oak spice, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: Slight heat from the 14.3% alcohol

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill this wine as it will mute its features.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with slow cooked butter chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 7, 2019

LCBO: 655831