Category Archives: Recommended

RIVAROSE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, IGP Salon De Provence, Mediterranee, Provence, France

22 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 50% Grenache, %50 Syrah
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Salon De Provence, Mediterranee, Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rivarose
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing Provence sparkling rosé that glides easily over the palate

Positives: Rose gold in with a fine mousse that features raspberry, pink grapefruit, nectarine, honey and almond nugget.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established in 1909, Rivarose is situated in Salon De Provence, and is now Provence’s oldest and largest producer in sparkling wines.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with omelette.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 22, 2019

LCBO: 515288

DE WETSHOF BON VALLON UNWOOD CHARDONNAY 2017, Wo Robertson, South Africa

04 Tuesday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $22.95 (Sale price $19.95 until June 23, 2019)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Robertson
Format: 750 mL
Producer: De Wetshof
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

An unwooded Chard that has citrus, orchard fruit & minerality all at a great price. A great option over Chablis.

Positives: Light gold with a green tinge that features lemon, green apples, pear, guava, pear and limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with raw oysters.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 4, 2019

LCBO: 403675

ANTECH-LIMOUX EXPRESSION CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX BRUT 2015, Traditional Method, AC Limoux, Languedoc, France

02 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Mauzac
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Limoux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antech-Limoux
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

This pleasant vintage Blanc de Blanc is complex, creamy, fresh & clean

Positives: Light gold a green tinge with a fine mousse. Wine features light yeast, brioche, lemon-lime, honeydew melon, green apples, Spy Apple & Napoleon Custard.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with blackened Mahi Mahi.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 2, 2019

LCBO: 68239

LANDER-JENKINS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, California, United States

15 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rutherford Wine Company
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Wine approaches the typical commercial California red sweeter side, but then it retreats to open up to a nice array of fruits & tertiary notes without the typical high alcohol

Positives: Wine features kirsch, blackberries, mulberries, raspberries, plums, cranberry, toffee, tobacco leaves and smoked tobacco on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I bought this wine because I like there motto on the back of the label: “Family Owned, Family farmed. Good for the land. Good for the grapes. Good for the wine.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Osso Buco.

My Opinion: Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 15, 2019

LCBO: 161398

CALVET BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX ROSÉ TRADITIONAL METHOD 2016, AOP Bordeaux, France

12 Sunday May 2019

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dulong Calvet
Alcohol: 12 % Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but it’s pleasant & easy drinking

Positives: Light rosé colour with fine mousse. Wine features strawberries, cherry, light yeast and red apples.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with delicate tarts.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 12, 2019

LCBO: 624759

PIERRE JOURDAN TRANQUILLE CLASSIQUE STILL WINE NV, Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa

29 Monday Apr 2019

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

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Cost:$25 US
Grape:60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: White & Rosé Wine
Location: Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek, Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Haute Cabrière
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A very pleasant wine made like a sparkling wine with Pinot Noir & Chardonnay grapes, but take out the carbonation and ergo you get still wine keeping the same low alcohol level.

Positives: Wine has a light rosé colour, and features lime, kiwi, raspberry, Spy Apples, tangerine and peach.

Interesting Point: “The emphasis of Tranquille being a ‘still Champagne’ type wine relates to the production process, whereby the juice is recovered from whole bunches of grapes that have not been crushed, which excludes the tannins out of the wine structure, creating the fine elegance.” Wine.co.za

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with plethora of different styles of olives.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 18, 2019

CAVE SPRINGS ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $14.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Springs
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a complex wine, but very delightful Canadian Chard with eloquence & it’s under $20

Positives: Bright gold in colour featuring lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, ginger and dill.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with lobster Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the Clearance Price

Tasted: April 27, 2019

LCBO: 256552

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