Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE MUSCAT 2019, VQA Ontario, Canada

09 Friday Apr 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Muscat
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  10.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking, delicious off dry white wine to have on a beautiful sunny day on the patio or while enjoying a hot tub. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Honeydew melon, kiwi, green apples, lemon meringue, clementine, peach & Ylang-ylang on the nose.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Thanks to Chetan from the Teaching Winery Store for suggesting this wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Thai green curry coconut shrimp.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 9, 2021

MATAHIWI ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2019, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

02 Friday Apr 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Matahiwi Estates
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Another winner from New Zealand. Great quality, complexity, taste, balance & all at under $20. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green, orange & red apples, clementine, pink grapefruit, roasted almonds, oak spice, ginger, dill & Easter Lily on the nose.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For me, New Zealand Chards are delicious & better priced for the value than any other country, with Canada coming in 2nd.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Pan Fried Mahi in Lemon Butter Sauce

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buys & Top Pick

Tasted: April 1, 2021

LCBO: 17547

STREWN TERROIR, STREWN THREE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $46.00
Grape: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stewn Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Don’t think Ontario winemakers make great Bordeaux style wines like their counterparts across the pond, well this one certainly does. The wine just explodes in your mouth with beautiful fruits & spice. Well worth the price. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, plum, tamarind, mulberry, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, black peppers, Crème de cassis, cloves, cinnamon, anise, tobacco leaves, leather, vanilla & a mix of Evergreens & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Strewn Three, their flagship red wine, is a three varietal blend that is unique each time it is made. In the past decade there have been only four vintages – 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016 – where the grapes were of the outstanding quality required to make our top-tier Terroir reds.” Strewn

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Blackberry Pan sauce and Arugula 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 24, 2021

PELEE ISLAND VINEDRESSERS RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2017, VQA South Islands, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Ontario
Region: South Islands, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This Pinot is an excellent styling to Central Otago Pinots, but under $20, which you will never find that at the LCBO for former. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, strawberry, raspberry, beetroot, mulberry, cinnamon & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I love the expensive looking front label. Remember to chill to 15C, and use balloon (Burgundy) glassware.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Escargots à la Bourguignonne.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 21, 2021

LCBO: 325282

13th STEET WINERY MERITAGE 2018, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Picture is of 2016, but same label for 2018

Cost: $39.95
Grape: 41.5% Merlot, 41.5% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This maybe the best Canadian red wine I’ve had & my best rated Canadian wine score, therefore well worth the price. This wine is balanced, complex with juicy fruit notes & spice. Absolutely delicious. Well done JP. Score: 98/100

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plums, ripe tamarind, bramble fruit, pomegranate, dark chocolate, cloves, Allspice, cinnamon, sage, spinach leaves, leather, pencil shavings, turmeric with cedar & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: My favourite wine of JP’s to date was his Viscek 2018 Chardonnay, & this is now my favourite of his wines (not including his sparkling wines, but it just maybe equal).

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 years & pair it with Rosemary Crusted Rack of Lamb with Pomegranate Shallot Sauce. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 5, 2021

Re tested March 8, 2021

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully crafted this Pinot shows classic & elegant notes that are well balanced between the fruit & acidity while any oak influence gives it some backbone. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black & sour cherries, strawberry, raspberry, beetroot, Champagne mushrooms, peat moss & a touch of vanilla bean.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Sourced from Whitty Vineyards in Creek Shores. Fermented with minimum intervention & aged in new & seasoned French oak barrels for 8 months.” (13th Street)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 13, 2021

TENUTA DI COLLALBRIGO PROSECCO SUPERIORE EXTRA DRY NV, DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy

07 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Conegliano & Valdobbiadene, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tenuta di Collalbrigo
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body Prosecco that’s fresh & juicy. Great quality at a great price. 91/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Gala apples, pear, white peach, lemon-lime & clementine.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Their wines are the product of low-yielding vineyards in hills formed by Dolomites’ glacier movements. On average, their vineyards are 25-30 years old, & the soil composition is of clay & pebbles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Wild Caught Poached Snapper with Lemon Browned Butter Sauce 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 7, 2021

LCBO: 16603

VICTOIRE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE NV, Eperney, Champagne, France

28 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in Champagne, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $45.95 (Sale price until Feb28, 2021: $39.95
Grape: 20% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir, 15% Meunier, 15% Red Wine
Category: Champagne
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Epernay, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: G.H. Martel & Co.
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Very easy drinking but with substance & a great price for a Champagne Rosé: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright deep salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: cherry, Strawberry, Fuji apples, raspberry, pomegranate, cured meat, toasted almonds, yeast & cassis.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Blinis with Smoked Salmon & Caviar.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 28, 2021

LCBO: 16396

CHÂTEAU DES LANDES CUVÉE PRESTIGE 2016, AOC Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France

24 Wednesday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Landes
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A beautiful wine that is smooth, balanced with complexity. This wine is a bargain at this price. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: cherry, Crème de cassis, plum, blackberry, mulberry, tamarind, cherry tobacco, Allspice & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 100% Merlot aged 16 months in new French oak,

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with slow roasted prime rib.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 23, 2021

LCBO: 363101

TERRES SECRÈTES LES PRÉLUDES 2018, AC Saint-Véran, France

23 Tuesday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Véran,
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terres Secrètes
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious, balanced, complex & you get a Pouilly-Fuissé style wine at a better price point. Score: 92 /100

Tasting Note: Bright gold with a light green tinge in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, Fuji apple, pear, peach, honeydew melon, tangerine, ginger, dill, toasted almonds, honey, limestone & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Saint-Véran AC is adjacent to Pouilly-Fuissé

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Crawfish Boil.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: February 21, 2021

LCBO: 16725