Category Archives: Recommended

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Tuesday Jan 2023

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced showing citric fruit & spiciness. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Light yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pineapple, peach, apples, pear, caramel, vanilla, oak spice

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 2020 was a great vintage year for Ontario wines.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with snow crab lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 16 & August 21, 2022

CHÂTEAU FUISSÉ 2017: LES BRÛLÉS 1er Cru vs TÊTE DE CUVÉE, France

03 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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A special 2022, New Year’s tastings comparing Château-Fuissé 2017 vintages of “Les Brûlés” Château-Fuissé and Château-Fuissé Tête de Cuvée.

On a blind tasting these were my observations:

  • Visually – I was correct in selecting Les Brulés based on the deeper gold colour.
  • Aroma – I was correct in selecting Les Brulés as it was more intense.
  • Alcohol Level – I was correct in choosing Les Brulés as the higher content.
  • Taste – I went against my instinct and went to what I preferred, and I was wrong. I had chosen the Cuvée as being the more expensive wine as it had more finesse, and the Les Brulés was very much oak driven. On the winery’s website, Les Brulés’ vinification is in new oak barrels vs the Cuvée is 60% oak barrels & 40% is in vats.
  • Lesson – Go on your instincts.

Les Brûlés: Score 90/100

$63 KYD, Bought at Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands

Deep gold in colour, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin and long length. Taste: Lemon drops, pineapple, Jonagold apples, ginger, oak spice & crushed stone.

Tête de Cuvée: Score 92/100

$45 KYD Bought at Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands

Gold in colour, medium intense nose and long length. Taste: Lemon, Jonagold apples, honeydew melon, pineapple, ginger, dill, oak spice & limestone.

CAPE LANDING ROSÉ, 2021, Margaret River, Australia

31 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $ 24.99 KYD
Grape: Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cape Landing
Alcohol: 12.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A unique 100% Syrah rosé made in Australia. Not complex but it’s light, bright & very pleasant to drink on its own or with food. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, Rainier Cherries, hint of cranberry, thyme & wet stone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: First Australian winery that I have come across that describe the grape used as Syrah vs Shiraz.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with summer fresh gazpacho.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 31, 2022

WENTE SOUTHERN HILLS CABERNET 2019, Livermore Valley, California, United States of America

08 Thursday Dec 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth wine with some sweet fruit but it’s contained by the acidity and being under 14% alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, Bing cherries, mulberry, blueberry, cocoa, cloves, cinnamon & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Originally reviewed 2014 vintage in 2018, and the price is still the same today. That’s unprecedented!

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with beef back ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 5, 2022

LCBO: 301507

GRAHAM BECK BRUT SPARKLING NV, Western Cape, South Africa

05 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Graham Beck
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp clean, fruit driven dry sparkling wine. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast & toasted bread, lemon zest, peach, Fuji apples, saline, pink grapefruit & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with salt n pepper calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 4, 2022

LCBO: 593483

DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL HERES 2015, AC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France

03 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $106.00
Grape: Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine du Grand Tinel
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a heavy wine considering the high alcohol, but a very powerful wine on the nose, yet elegant on the taste. Should please those with eclectic taste. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, grilled plum, black tea, Kalamon olives, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, crushed gravel & wild mushrooms on the nose.

Negatives: 15.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: “Issued from very old vines grown on ‘La Gardole’ quarter, on a sandy soil, conducted without pesticides and by hand-harvest. Produced in exceptional vintages only. Very limited production.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Porchetta.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 2, 2022

LCBO: 24741

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY TOM THOMSON WHITE CANOE 2108, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

09 Wednesday Nov 2022

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

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

I am normally a traditionalist when it comes to white wine, meaning I’m not crazy when it comes to several blends of white grapes in a wine, but this one was pretty good. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, passion fruit, Dragon fruit, kumquat, & lemon rind.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The Tom Thomson art gallery (The Tom) is a national cultural attraction dedicated to the innovation and spirit of the iconic artist Tom Thomson (1877-1917) whose artwork has been described as being the “visual equivalent of our national anthem”. This wine was created by the Niagara College Teaching Winery in honour of the 50th anniversary of The Tom and 100th anniversary of Thomson’s untimely and mysterious death at Canoe Lake.” (Winery)

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: November 8, 2022

STREWN TERROIR CHARDONNAY CANADIAN OAK 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $35.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see Strewn’s Chards below 14% alcohol. Combination of richness with creaminess & a crispness on the finish. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, orange, cantaloupe, Jonagold apples, ginger, dill, coconut, oak spice, roasted almonds & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Barrel fermented with malolactic fermentation in new and seasoned Canadian oak barrels then left on lees for 11 months in oak with bâttonage as desired.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with pan seared Chilean Sea Bass.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: October 21, 2022

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

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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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