Category Archives: Recommended

DONATIEN BAHUAUD LES GRANDS MORTIERS VOUVRAY 2021, AOP Vouvray, France

11 Saturday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $17.60)
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vouray
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Donatien Bahuaud
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, refined and complex. Off dry but finishes with nice minerality. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yellow Pitaya, lemon rind, peach, apples, pear, dried apricot, thyme, honeycomb & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with spicy fish tacos

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 8, 2023

LCBO: 140889

MCBRIDE SISTERS COLLECTION RED BLEND 2019, Central Coast, California, United States of America

08 Wednesday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $15.50)
Grape: Red Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Central Coast, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: McBride Sisters
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

This will please those that like Cali red which has some substance & yet not overtly priced. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Blueberry pie, cherry, bramble fruit, plum, ripe tamarinds, mocha, orange chocolate, white pepper, tarragon, turmeric & fresh cut carnations on the nose.

Negatives: Some heat from the listed 13.9% alcohol

Interesting Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Portuguese Peri Peri Chicken

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: November 7, 2023

LCBO: 30699

VILLA CONCHI BRUT ROSÉ CAVA, NV, Traditional Method, DO Cava, Spain

29 Sunday Oct 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance Price: $13.60)
Grape: Trepat
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Villa Conchi
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but nice palate cleaner to start the meal. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, fine mouse, low to medium intensity nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, strawberry & cranberry.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with braised pork belly.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 29, 2023

LCBO: 632265

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SYRAH 2021, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice clean, not aggressive Syrah that those that don’t like red wines may like this one. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, raspberry, cocoa, cloves, white pepper, baby spinach, & violets with light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Arabic coffee beef ribs with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 17, 2023

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2022, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario

16 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Dry, crisp & full of flavour. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, cranberry, pink grapefruit, red currants, peach pit & cranberries on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: First wine produced for NC winery by winemaker Allison Findlay.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 -4 years on its own or pair it with Smoked salmon and cucumber canapés.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 4, 2023

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, spicy Chard. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, kumquat, Golden apples, pear, white peach, toasted pineapple, ginger & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 11, 2023

TAWSE SKETCHES CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Thursday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $21.95 (Sale price until July 16, 2023: $19.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Tawse Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced chard with good fruit & spice. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, white peach, green apple, pear, honeydew melon, fresh fig, ginger & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Last time I reviewed this win was the 2009 vintage in 2013. The cost $19.95, which is the same as the cost now when it’s on sale.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Portuguese chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 5, 2023

LCBO: 89037

UMBERTO CESARI MOM ROSÉ 2021, IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

03 Monday Jul 2023

Posted by in Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $15.95 (Clearance price $13.95)
Grape: Unknown
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Umberto Cesari
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Dry, crisp & citric wine. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour with high acidity, medium intensity nose, & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, grapefruit, passion fruit & green apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Wine merchants list this as white wine but there is a pale salmon colour.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 -4 years on its own or pair it with Smoked salmon and cucumber canapés.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 1, 2023

LCBO: 25751

FERRARI-CARANO DRY SANGIOVESE ROSÉ, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

28 Wednesday Jun 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $23.10 (Clearance Price: $16.25)
Grape: 81% Sangiovese, Grenache, Syrah, Barbera
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing, crisp and an expressive rosé. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, watermelon, pomegranate, cranberries, mandarin and orange blossom on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with BBQ beef short ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 26, 2023

LCBO: 24271

SCHOOL HOUSE VINEYARD MESCOLANZA SYRAH BLEND 2015, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, California, United States of America

23 Friday Jun 2023

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $40.95 (Clearance Price: $28.70)
Grape: 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: School House Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Although these are classic Syrah Rhône grapes, the styling is Napa with sweet fruitiness, but unlike Napa, it is under 14% alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, high intensity nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Kirsch, blueberry, blackberry, plum, ripe tannin, white pepper, smoked bacon & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vineyard’s Rhône style field blend has 45 rows of Syrah, 5 rows of Grenache, and 2 rows of Mourvèdre.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 -6 years on its own or pair it with Korean Beef Short Ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended at the Clearance Price

Tasted: June 19, 2023

LCBO: 24452