Category Archives: Recommended

CELENE AMÉTHYSTE BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS, Méthode Traditionnelle, NV, AOP Crémant de Bordeau, France

21 Wednesday Jul 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Celene Bordeaux
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A creamy dry sparkling wine that shows a lot considering this wine is under $18 & made in the traditional method. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, brioche, yeast, green apples, pears, redcurrants, clementine, kiwi & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Celene’s sparkling wine bottles are stored in underground cellars dug in the 18th century in the limestone rock of the Right Bank of the Garonne. In these galleries, which are naturally thermoregulated at 13°C, the second fermentation in the bottle will then begin, which corresponds to the foaming process. This stage is crucial : the fineness of the bubble depends on its success. The foaming lasts about 6 weeks during which the still wine is transformed into sparkling wine to reach up to 6 bars of pressure in the bottles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with escargot in garlic butter & shredded cheese.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 18, 2021

LCBO: 19031

CHATEAU ST. JEAN BRUT CUVÉE SPARKLING WINE NV, California, United States of America

18 Sunday Jul 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $27.80 (Clearance price $22.30)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau St. Jean
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, yet pleasant sparkling that shows tropical fruits & freshness. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, green mango, pineapple, peach with a touch of vanilla & honey as well as yellow flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chateau St. Jean sparkling wines are crafted using the Cuvee Close or Charmat approach, dating to the 1880’s, with a goal of having the Brut Rose as a refreshing and delicate wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with apple & honey roasted chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 18, 2021

LCBO: 978659

CHÂTEAU GRAVES DE RABION 2016, AOC Saint-Emilion, Bordeau, France

21 Monday Jun 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Èmilion, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Graves de Rabion
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A mix of berries, spice & earth notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, blackcurrants, cloves, Champagne mushrooms, rosemary, cedar, leather, vanilla & barnyard aromas.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: As the nose is dusty & barnyard, this may detract some people, but go beyond the nose & you should enjoy this wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Entrecote Bordelaise.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 15, 2021

LCBO: 92536

CHÂTEAU LARROQUE 2016, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France

18 Friday Jun 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ducourt
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This left bank Bordeaux is one dimensional, but inexpensive & pleasant drinking. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackcurrant, plum, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, anise, nutmeg, vanilla & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Marie-Christine, the daughter of Henri Ducourt, purchased this prestigious left-bank property in 1979, which lies on the border of the Graves appellation. The 60-hectare vineyard was rapidly replanted and the château building, which dates from 1348, was restored.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Flank Steak

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 15, 2021

LCBO: 92536

CHÂTEAU TERRE BLANQUE 2018, AC Côtes de Bordeaux

10 Thursday Jun 2021

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: SCEA Terre Blanque
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking wine with substance all at a good price. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, bramble fruit, turmeric, cassis, pencil shavings & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Butter Steak Bites

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 9, 2021

LCBO: 18577

KACABA EFFERVESCENCE SPARKLING ROSÉ 2019, VQA Ontario, Canada

07 Monday Jun 2021

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

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Cost: $32.15 (Sale price: $28.15)
Grape: 62.5% Pinot Noir, 37.5% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking, not complex, off dry sparkling wine that will please those that don’t like the toasty, yeasty, brioche Champagne style. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with fine mousse good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Wild strawberries, Bing Cherries, raspberries & sweet basil.

Negatives: Price point

Interesting Point: For a Charmat method sparkling wine priced at over $30 is way too much. Sale price brings it more palatable to buy, but still overpriced even at that point.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Ukrainian Beet Vinaigrette Salad – with fresh beets and pickled cucumbers

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 6, 2021

CONCANNON VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Paso Robles, California, United States of America

30 Sunday May 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Paso Robles, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Concannon Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex, not sweet or flabby, not in the usual high alcohol range of 14.5% that’s common from the warm region of Paso Robles, just nice, smooth & great taste. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackcurrants, blackberries, plum, ripe tamarind, raspberry, cocoa, nutmeg, turmeric, vanilla, leather & purple lilacs on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established in 1883 when the winery imported grapes from Bordeaux to establish their Cabernet Sauvignon

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with slow cooker Beef Cheeks in Red Wine.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 2, 2021

LCBO: 10039

TRIENNES ROSÉ 2020, IGP Méditerranée, France

25 Tuesday May 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Merlot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Méditerranée
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine de Triennes
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Clean & crisp wine that shows both sour & tart fruits. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light pink in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, passion fruit, apricot & kiwi.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years on its own or pair it with spicy calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 24, 2021

LCBO: 409771

BELLERUCHE ROUGE CÔTE-DU-RHÔNE 2019, AOP Côtes-du-Rhône, France

07 Friday May 2021

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price: $13.95 until May 23, 2021)
Grape: Grenache & Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Côtes-Du-Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: M. Chapoutier
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex just a flavourful wine with nice fruits & spiciness at a reasonable price & even that much better at the sale price. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby with a purple tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrants, mulberry, white & black peppers, Allspice & licorice.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Aged 6 months in concrete and stainless-steel tanks.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Moroccan Lamb Burger with harissa and black pepper Mayo

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 6, 2021

LCBO: 17779

13th STREET WINERY CLASSIC SERIES CABERNET MERLOT 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth easy everyday drinking wine. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, red & black currants, sweet toasted oak, white pepper & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Wine was aged both in stainless steel & oak barrels. Also, please see my review on the 2019 vintage.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Roast Beef with Plum Pudding

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 28, 2021

LCBO: 56598