Cost: $34.95 Grape: Gewurztraminer Category: White Wine Location: Winery Country: Canada Region: Niagara Peninsula Format: 750 mL Producer: 13th Street Winery Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
A light style GW dominated by grapefruit. Score: 87/100.
Tasting Note: Bright gold with a green tinge in colour, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, lychee, ginger & pear
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with jerk honey chicken wings
Cost: $21.95 Grape: Viognier Category: White Wine Location: Winery Country: Canada Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Format: 750 mL Producer: 13th Street Winery Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
A dry, light, crisp & fruity style Viognier. Score: 89/100
Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lime, apricot pit, white peach, pear, oak spice & a touch of vanilla.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: 50% fermented & aged for 8 months in seasoned French oak barrels. 50% fermented & aged in stainless steel.
Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with spicy Pad Thai.
Cost: $15.95 Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: United States of America Region: Monterey County, California Format: 750 mL Producer: Longford Estate Winery Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
For a wine that’s priced at under $16 this is not your typical commercial Cali Cab as it’s not flabby, sweet or high alcohol and it has character. Score: 88/100
Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blackcurrants, blueberries, blackberries, plum, cocoa, vanilla & leather.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Sustainably farmed vineyard
Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Slow Cooked Prime Rib with Plum Glaze
Cost: $21.95 Grape: Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon Category: Red Wine Location: Winery Country: Canada Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Format: 750 mL Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
A pleasant easy drinking wine with some substance to it. Score: 88/100
Tasting Note: Medium dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, plum, elderberry, blackcurrants, fennel, cocoa, spinach leaves, vanilla & leather.
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with smoked gouda.
Cost: $14.95 Grape: 55% Négrette, 20% Syrah, 15% Cab Sauv 10% Cab Franc Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: France Region: Fronton, South West France Format: 750 mL Producer: Château Bellevue La Forêt Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Fresh first palate, then fruity and spicy when the wine opens up. Score: 90/100
Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Elderberry, Aronia berry, blackberry, blackcurrant, cocoa, nutmeg, pepper & baby arugula.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: “Négrette, a unique grape variety in the world, appeared in the 12th century under the name of “MAVRO” (black in Greek) brought from Cyprus by the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Demanding, it has become acclimatized to this single terroir of Fronton; Négrette is one of the rare grape varieties to reveal aromas in wine identical to those found when crunching fresh grapes.”
Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Coffee and Cracked Pepper Rubbed Smoked Beef Brisket.
My Opinion: Recommended Best Buy Tasted: Jan 22, 2022 LCBO: 354134
Cost: $15.95 Grape: Viognier Category: White Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: France Region: Pays d’Oc Format: 750 mL Producer: Laurent Miquel Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
A nice crisp wine with some substance all at a fair price. Score: 88/100
Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pear, white peach, kumquat, some vanilla & acacia on the nose.
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Broiled Cod with Fennel and Orange in Almond Crust
Cost: $16.95 Grape: Sangiovese Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: Italy Region: Chianti, Tuscany Format: 750 mL Producer: Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci Scrl Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Once the wine smooths out, it’s an excellent valued Chianti Riserva. Score: 90/100
Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, chalky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, red currants, mulberry, oregano, basil, tomato leaves, arugula & mushrooms.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: To smooth out this wine, I recommend decanting it and let it rest for about an hour.
Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Tagliatelle al tartufo
A pleasant wine showing citric fruits & minerality. Score: 89/100
Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lime, grapefruit, white peach, pear, apricot, limestone & fresh cut white flowers.
Cost: $16.95 Grape: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: Italy Region: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo Format: 750 mL Producer: Terra D’Aligi Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Although the 2017 vintage is good, it’s nowhere what the 2016 vintage was, as I reviewed in back in July 6, 2021. Score: 89/100.
Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, green tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, blackberry, raspberry, oregano, sage, cardamon, black tea & leather.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: I recommend using the smaller Chianti style glassware as it will smooth out the wine.
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Pizzaiola
Cost: $17.95 Grape: 50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 10 %Marsanne, 10% Viognier Category: White Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: France Region: Costières De Nîmes, Rhône Format: 750 mL Producer: Mas Des Bressades Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
A pleasant wine showing lots of citric fruits & minerality. Score: 88/100
Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, grapefruit, white peach, pear, apricot, limestone & fresh cut white flowers.
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware.
Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Mediterranean Orzo Salad with grilled octopus
