Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

In addition to Best Buys, these are my top picks with no consideration to price

PAUL CLUVER ESTATE ELGIN CHARDONNAY 2017, South Africa

20 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $24.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: South Africa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Paul Cluver
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A high end Chard at a bargain price

Positives: Bright gold in colour featuring light toast with butter, lemon, green & yellow apples, white plum, tangerine, honeydew melon, peach, kumquat, ginger, dill, roasted almonds, vanilla, limestone, cinnamon, cloves, oak spice and honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: South African wines in my view are best value wines you can get

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Chilean sea bass with lemon, dill and capers.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy at sale price and Top Pick

Tasted: November 6, 2019

LCBO: 570952

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST PRESIDENT’S RED 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Nov 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $31.15
Grape: 43% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of Ontario best blended red wines that is fruit forward with complexity & structure

Positives: Deep ruby to purple in colour having medium tannins and featuring blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, fennel, black & white pepper, cloves, vanilla and spinach leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Spent 21 months in French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 8, 2019

MISSION HILL OCULUS 2007, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

25 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $70.00
Grape: 50% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mission Hill Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

After 12 years in the bottle, this Oculus is still showing its complexity & flavours

Positives: Dark garnet in colour with an intense nose, this wine features plum, dates, blackberry, blueberry pie, Champagne mushrooms, tobacco, vanilla, turmeric, coffee, black pepper, black olives and leather.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Current vintage in store, 2013, now sells for $130

Ageability: Drink now on its own or pair it with prime rib Au Jus.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 25, 2019

LCBO: 9316

CERRO AŃON RESERVA 2014, Doca Rioja, Spain

04 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano & Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Olarra
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious, Rioja at its best

Positives: Deep ruby to garnet in colour with medium tannin this wine features cherry, raspberry, plum, ripe tamarind, Kirsch, sandalwood, leather, champagne mushroom, sage, arugula, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: Slight heat from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: Spent 20 months in American and French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with macadamia nut encrusted rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 4, 2019

LCBO: 114306

13th STREET WINERY GAMAY BLANC DE NOIR 2017, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

24 Tuesday Sep 2019

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, finesse & elegance, a true delight

Positives: Light gold in colour with a fine mousse. This wine features lemon/lime, strawberry, Rainier cherries, light dough, almonds and honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 13th Street has become the quintessential winery in Canada for making the highest quality of sparkling wines thanks to winery maker Jean Pierre Colas.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 22, 2019

RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

13 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $39.95 (Clearance Price: $32.00)
Grape: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rutherford Ranch
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical plush high alcohol Napa Cab, this one is bright, juicy with finesse

Positives: Medium to dark ruby in colour, this wine features, black & red currants, black cherry, red plums, spearmint, vanilla and dark chocolate.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: It’s becoming a rarity now days to have a red wine from California below 14% alcohol.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 11, 2019

LCBO: 73817

BELLA TERRA CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

13 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Winery
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A beautiful, well balanced rich & buttery Chard that’s worth the price

Positives: New gold in colour, this wine features lemon tart, golden apple, yellow plum, mango, peach, light dill, caramel and white roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 13, 2019

13th STREET WINERY GRAND CUVÉE BLANC DE NOIR 2013, Méthode Tradionnelle, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

03 Tuesday Sep 2019

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $59.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Finesse, complexity, richness and freshness. It’s simply delicious, maybe Canada’s best Blanc de Noir

Positives: Gold with pink tinge in colour with a fine mousse. The wine features light brioche & toast, lemon, apples, pear, white cranberry, white cherry and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Another winner by winemaker Jean Pierre.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 1, 2019 (Pre-release date to public)

HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE CARTE BLANCHE ESTATE BLANC DE BLANC 2013, Traditional Method, VQA Short Hills, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $49.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A high-quality Canadian Blanc de Blanc in a Champagne style with a Champagne price

Positives: Golden apple in colour with a fine mousse. The wine features brioche, toast, lemon, apple pie, pear, honey, hazelnut, limestone with an oxidative nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Picked by hand on the estate and matured in the bottle on the lees for 60 months.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with caviar.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 25, 2019

LCBO: 315200

HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

08 Thursday Aug 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance Price $21.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.3 % Alcohol/Vol.

Steady as she goes; one of the top Canadian Chards

Positives: This wine features lemon, green apples, yellow plums, pineapple, peach, pear, vanilla, oak spice, ginger and dill all with a long finish.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy at Clearance Price & Top Pick

Tasted: August 2, 2019

LCBO: 616466