Category Archives: Recommended

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

MON FRÈRE PINOT NOIR 2020, United States of America, California

20 Thursday Apr 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mon Frére Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice Cali Pinot without the standard high alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby with a garnet tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, plum, ripe tamarind, clove, cinnamon, vanilla & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

VINIFICATION: “Grapes are harvested in early September. All of the fruit is hand-sorted and fully destemmed with no crushing. Cold soaks (4-5 days), warm fermentations (85-90 degree range), and minimal punch downs. Total skin contact ranges from 11-18 days, with wine put to barrel on the lees for malolactic fermentation. Racking is minimal, with only one base blend to allow the new wine to “marry” in the barrel before bottling. Native yeast is used on small lots using cultured burgundy isolates. Aged 10 months in 100% French oak (25% new oak).” Winery

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 19, 2023

LCBO: 30819

PEDRONCELLI PINOT NOIR 2021, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, United States of America

01 Saturday Apr 2023

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $25.99 KY
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pedroncelli
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir with sweet fruits & spice. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Red cherry, plum, strawberry, pomegranate, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla and Kirsch on the nose.

Negatives: The heat from alcohol of 14.2%

Interesting Point: Slightly chill

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with turtle stew.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 31, 2023

RICKETY BRIDGE CHARDONNAY 2020, Franschhoek, South Africa

27 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $20.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rickety Bridge Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice balance of oak, fruit, acidity & spice. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, peach, pear, light caramel, honey, light oak spice & orange blossoms on the nose.

Negatives: None

WINE MAKING: “This wine was fermented in 500l French oak barrels and Austrian foudres. (10% new and 90% older) The must was fermented at 14° – 17° C and lees was stirred up daily. The wine was matured for 10 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with seared shrimp in garlic butter sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 27, 2023

RICKETY RIDGE BRUT ROSÉ, NV, Méthode Cap Classique, Franschhoek, South Africa

26 Sunday Mar 2023

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $34.00 KY
Grape: 53% Pinot Noir, 47% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Jacques Scott
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rickety Bridge Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive brut rosé with a distinctive taste. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Kumquat, Marmite, brioche, raspberry, apricot & white peach

Negatives: None

WINE MAKING: “Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. The must was fermented between 14 – 17˚C and the lees was stirred up daily for three months and then twice every week for three months thereafter. The wine spent 18 months on the lees during and after second fermentation before it was disgorged.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Sunday brunch.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 26, 2023

BERONIA ROSÉ 2021, DOC Rioja, Spain

09 Thursday Mar 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95 (Clearance Price: $9.80)
Grape: 50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Beronia
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An earthlier style rosé. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light pink in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, thyme, Kalamata olives & Champagne mushrooms.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “On arrival at the winery both the Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes underwent cold pre-fermentation maceration for several hours, which extracted as much as possible of their primary aromas. Next, they underwent static debourbage at 5ºC, then alcoholic fermentation at a controlled temperature below 22ºC immediately afterwards. Finally, the wine was bottled in January 2022 and rested in bottle at least 2 months before being released to the market.”
‘WINEMAKER´

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years, on its own or pair it with Paella Valenciana.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the clearance price

Tasted: March 8, 2023

LCBO: 323519

CAPE LANDING RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2019, Margaret River, Australia

27 Monday Feb 2023

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $34.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cape Landing
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Made in Chablis style having clean, clear, bright notes with lots of citric fruit. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Clear bright light gold in colour with high acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, orange, kiwi, marzipan, limestone & white flower on the nose.

Negatives: $10 over priced

Interesting Point: Use Chablis style glassware

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7years, on its own or pair it with smoked trout.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 26, 2023

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST MERLOT 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Tuesday Feb 2023

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice wine, a little over-priced & needs time to soften. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, green tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, raspberry, pomegranate, cocoa powder, vanilla & graphite.

Negatives: High alcohol

Interesting Point: “This wine spent 20 months in oak, with 30% of it being new barrels.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years, on its own or pair it with Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 13, 2023

FREIXENET ITALIAN ROSÉ EXTRA DRY SPARKLING WINE, NV, Charmat Method, Italy

31 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $15.40)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Italy
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Freixenet
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but very pleasant, easy drinking sparkling wine with fresh fruit. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Pink/salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, raspberry, MacIntosh apples, lemon zest & roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Beautiful bottle

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years, on its own or pair it with Roasted Salmon and Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 29, 2023

LCBO: 11222

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PET NAT CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

26 Thursday Jan 2023

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This isn’t half bad, but I wouldn’t pay the price for it. A simple Brut frizzante. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Cloudy yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a light intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, grapefruit, sour bread, yeast, kumquat, Jonagold apples & limestone.

Negatives: The price

Interesting Point: “This was made in the “Petillant Natural” or “Pet Nat” style. Fermented only using indigenous yeast, it was bottled down near the end of fermentation to capture natural CO2 gas bubbles. No additions have been made to this wine and it remains sur lie (with lees) to protect its integrity, structure and ageability.”

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with rippled potato chips with dill/onion dip.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 24, 2023