Category Archives: Recommended

FINCA LOS MAZA RESERVA MALBEC 2016, Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina

27 Wednesday May 2020

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Cost: $17.00 (Clearance price: $13.65)
Grape: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Valle De Uco, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Finca Los Maza
Alcohol:  13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Malbec full of fruit, structure & spice

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, firm tannin & an average length on the finish. Wine features blackberry, plum, loganberry, anise, cocoa & tobacco leaves.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with lamb shank.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 27, 2020

LCBO: 10772

JOSH CELLARS MERLOT 2018, California, United States of America

13 Wednesday May 2020

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until May 24, 2020: $16.95)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: USA
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Here’s a nice surprise: a California red that is below 14% alcohol, not sweet or flabby, has some complexity, it’s priced under $20 & oh yes, it’s nice to drink

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black & red currants, raspberries, arugula, mocha & vanilla

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: You won’t find this wine on Josh Cellars winery website, strange but true. I expect it is made for export only.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 13, 2020

LCBO: 638221

CUDDY BY TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE SPARKLING WINE NV, Traditional Method, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday May 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $25.95 (Clearance price: $18.20)
Grape: Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tawse Winery
Alcohol:  10.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A well-made Riesling sparkling wine

Tasting Note: Straw colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pears, & petrol on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On Tawse website they list this wine at $28.15. In addition, the label list the alcohol as 12%, but LCBO has put a label on it listing the alcohol as 10.7%.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with breaded calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 9, 2020

LCBO: 546762

PENINSULA RIDGE RESERVE SYRAH 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Wednesday May 2020

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $17.30)
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Ontario Syrah made in the classic Rhone style & it’s great deal at the clearance price if you can find it

Tasting Note: Light+ ruby colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium to mild tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, mulberry, plum, clove, white & black peppers and a slight smokiness on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For some reason if you buy it at the winery, the cost is $30.15?!

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with braised beef short-ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 6, 2020

LCBO: 230896

DOMAINE DE SÉRAME VIOGNIER 2017, IGP Pays D’Oc, France

05 Tuesday May 2020

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Cost: $13.95 (Clearance price: $11.20)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Southern France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Sérame
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple yet elegant wine; very pleasant to drink at a good price

Tasting Note: Straw colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features apricot, peach, pear, lemon & cloves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with poached salmon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 5, 2020

LCBO: 10631

OYSTER BAY SPARKLING CUVÉE ROSÉ, NV Hawke’s Bay & Marlborough, New Zealand

03 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $18.40)
Grape: 80% Chardonnay & 20% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay & Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oyster Bay
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A clean, crisp & lean sparkling rosé

Tasting Note: Copper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, cherry, green & red apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Charmat method

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Waldorf salad.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 3, 2020

LCBO: 280172

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY 2017, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

30 Thursday Apr 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ste Michelle Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great balance between the oak, fruit & acidity that makes this a pleasant drinking Chard

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & red apples, pineapples, mangos, peach, dill, light oak spice & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sur lie aged for more than six months in a mix of French and American oak barrels (10% new). 42% tank fermented Chardonnay was added to the blend to make a fresh style of Chardonnay.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with scallops on a bed of greens.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 30, 2020

LCBO: 232439

MICHAEL KACABA RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

18 Saturday Apr 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $50.15
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol:  14.9% Alcohol/Vol.

High-end Ontario Cab that shows why it’s on the expensive side

Tasting Note: Light garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & long length on the finish. Wine features sweet cherry, strawberry, plum, blueberry, mocha, vanilla, cinnamon and licorice.

Negative: High alcohol level

Interesting Point: Surprised by how light in colour this wine is for only being 5 years old.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped filet mignon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 18, 2020

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PINOT GRIS 2018, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

11 Saturday Apr 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Very interesting Pinot Gris that was fermented in neutral French oak barrels, and skin soaked giving the wine that copper colour. Taste is refreshing.

Tasting Note: Copper in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & average length finish. Wine features clementine, green apple, pink grapefruit & pear.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Jerk chicken wings

My Opinion:  Recommended

Tasted: April 11, 2020

13th STREET WINERY ESSENCE PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: 13th Street Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic quality in the Burgundian style

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with mild tannin, high acidity, an intense nose & long finish. Wine features sour cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, wild mushrooms.

Interesting Point: Chill this pinot to 15 C, and use a balloon style stemware.

Pairings: As this wine has high acidity & will still age well over the next 7-10 years, it needs food to really complement it so pair it with rabbit Cacciatore.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 9, 2020