Category Archives: Recommended

CHÂTEAU LARROGUE 2018, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France

25 Sunday Sep 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ducourt
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Good quality for the price. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, raspberry, cassis, cocoa, tobacco, vanilla, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Moroccan Beef Stew.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 24, 2022

LCBO: 92536

COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE RED 2020, IG Alentejano, Portugal

12 Monday Sep 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Trincadeira, Aragonez and Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Alentejo
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ravasqueira
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy, juicy dark fruits followed by spiciness. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, ripe tamarind, blackberries, mushrooms, truffles, cloves, Allspice & suede.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to 14 – 16C

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Ensopado de borrego (Lamb Stew)

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 10, 2022

LCBO: 11152

PATRIARCHE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE, NV, Crémant de Bourgogne, France

05 Monday Sep 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Crémant de Bourgogne
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mason Patriarche
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A very pleasant dry sparkling rosé. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Cooper in colour with fine mouse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, sour dough, wild strawberry, red currants & light ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan, Vegetarian

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict Royale.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 3, 2022

LCBO: 16598

LA FLEUR DE FRANÇOIS BLANC BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, AC Bordeaux, France

28 Sunday Aug 2022

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Semillon Blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: La Fleur de François
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Food friendly dry sparkling wine at a good price. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mouse, good acidity, low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light brioche, yeast, lemon, grapefruit, bruised apple, pear, wet stone & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Ackee & Saltfish.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 28, 2022

LCBO: 648170

PIERRE SPARR BRUT RÉSERVE CRÉMANT D’ALSACE, NV, Methode Traditionnelle, AOC Alsace, France

22 Monday Aug 2022

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Pinot Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pierre Sparr
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple clean, fruity with minerality. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, low to medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast & brioche, lemon, green apples, pear, peach cobbler & wet flint rocks.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1st review of this sparkling wine was in 2015, and the price was a dollar less, so great for the consumer that in 7 years it’s almost the same price.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Gyoza

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 21, 2022

LCBO: 388603

MURÉ CUVÉE BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Alsace, France

15 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $28.95 (Clearance price: $23.95)
Grape: 25% Pinot Blanc, 25% Pinot Auxerrois, 25% Pinot Gris,15% Riesling, 10% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Rouffach, Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Muré
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Creamy, slender & dry. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, light yeast, green & yellow apples, yellow plum, roasted almonds, pear

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at sale price

Tasted: August 14, 2022

LCBO: 543090

BRAMÌTO DELLA SALA CHARDONNAY 2021, IGP Umbria, Italy

13 Saturday Aug 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Antinori
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A clean, fresh, mineral driven Chard. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, yellow plum, green & yellow apples, toasted almonds, oak spice, ginger, Ciabatta, light vanilla & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Lobster Ravioli

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 12, 2022

LCBO: 176792

BONTERRA ROSÉ 2021, California, United States of America

11 Thursday Aug 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $17.60)
Grape: Grenache based
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bonterra Organic Estates
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp & refreshing with a zesty, food-friendly acidity. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier cherries, strawberries, watermelon, Blood Orange, cotton candy

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic Winery

Pairings: Drink this now in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with hot & sour soup

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 10, 2022

LCBO: 25116

GRAN FEUDO ROSADO 2021, DO Navarra, Spain

04 Thursday Aug 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $13.05 (Sale price until Aug 14, 2022: $11.55)
Grape: 85% Garnacha, 15% Merlot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Gran Feudo
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive rosé that offers a lot for the money. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Dark watermelon in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, watermelon, red plum,

Negatives: None

Elaboration: After keeping the must in contact with the skins for 6 to 12 hours, it is separated by gravity and fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature.

Interesting Point: Wine is Vegan friendly.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Sautéed prosciutto with caramelized onions and tossed in a rosé sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 3, 2022

LCBO: 165845

ALVI’S DRIFT BRUT BLANC DE BLANC, NV, South Africa

01 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance Price: $14.75)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Alvi’s Drift
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp clean brut sparkling wine offering good value for the quality of wine. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Passion Fruit, lemon, green apples & pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Charmat method

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Sushi.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 31, 2022

LCBO: 21163