Category Archives: Recommended

ESSENCE PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Ess11PinoNoir

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

An elegant Pinot

Positives: A beautiful aromatic Pinot, light garnet colour that features dry red cherry, cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Essence label is winemaker Jean-Paul Colas private label made at 13th Street Winery.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 21, 2018

PELEE ISLAND PELEE PINK 2016, VQA Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $11.95
Grape: Chambourcin
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical rosé, interesting & priced for the taking

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features rhubarb, sour cherry, raspberry, tomato leaves and shitake mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chambourcin is a French-American hybrid, widely planted in areas not well suited for Vitis Vinefera such as Missouri, Indiana & Michigan.

Drink now or in the next couple of years

Tasted: 19 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 529354

MELINI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2009, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 4 Nov 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Melini Casa Fondata
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, a delight to drink & a 2009 for under $20

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light cedar, cherry, raspberry, leather and sage. Medium body with good acidity a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I like the classic label.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 23 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5+/10) Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 487819

AMAROSÉ FOREIGN AFFAIR 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: 13.30)
Grape: 73% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foreign Affair Winery
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid rosé with full flavours yet still is crisp & dry

Description: Rose gold in colour with a low to medium intense nose. This wine strawberry, cherry, watermelon, pear, raspberry and rhubarb. Medium body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Partial grape drying in the Appassimento method brings out the flavours in this rosé.

Drink now or in the next 3 of years

Tasted: 9 November 2017

Best Buy and Amazing Buy at the clearance price

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5/10), Total: 18/20

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 388702

BERINGER KNIGHTS VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, Sonoma County, California, United States

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, juicy, complex & delicious, but for a price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black currants, plum, dark cherry, raspberry, cherry tobacco, tamarind, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, anise, nutmeg and cocoa. Full body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: 2015 was far better than the 2014 vintage

Drink now or in the next 4-7 of years

Tasted: 24 November 2017

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 18/20

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 352583

REDSTONE LIMESTONE RIDGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $38.95 (Clearance price: $27.30)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Red Stone Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality Chard but on the pricey side.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, orange rind, cloves, ginger, caramel covered apple, oak spice, limestone, and some smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: 2015 was far better than the 2014 vintage

Drink now or in the next 4 of years

Tasted: 9 December 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20 (Clearance price: 18/20)

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 511436

DOMAINE VOARICK CLOS PARADISE MERCUREY 1er CRU 2014, Ac Mercurey, Burgundy, France

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $36.95 (Clearance price: $25.90)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mercury, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Voarick
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Rustic Pinot this good, just over priced

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, pomegranate, sour cherry, strawberry, mushrooms, cinnamon, dry forest leaves and smoked oysters on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Lightly chill the wine and serve in a Balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the 4-5 of years on its own or pair it with marinated game.

Tasted: 25 December 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17+/20 (Clearance price: 18/20)

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 86603

STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $48.95 (Clearance price: $33.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stratus
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Chard just over priced

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, green apple, pear, tangerine, pineapple, oak spice, ginger, dill and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 29 December 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20 (Clearance price: 18/20)

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 383554

 

JACOB’S CREEK CHARDONNAY PINOT NOIR BRUT NV, Southeastern Australia

17 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Southeastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacob’s Creek Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice flavoured, inexpensive dry sparkler that is an excellent replacement for Prosecco.

Description: Light gold in colour with a light to medium intense nose and medium mousse. This wine features light yeast, lemon, yellow apple, pear, lime and orange rind. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 1 January 2018

Best Buy

Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 210633

TRIUS BRUT ROSÉ MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE NV, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $32.95
Grape: Red blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages, The Wine Shop & Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trius Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant dry rosé sparkling wine

Positives: Salmon in colour with a fine mousse. Wine features light yeast, wild strawberry, white currants, white cranberry and pink grapefruit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 16, 2018

LCBO: 184309