Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

DRUMHELLER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

05 Sunday Jun 2022

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Drumheller Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made with a nice blend of fruits & spice without one overpowering the other, which all leads to a silky-smooth finish. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Medium to dark ruby with a garnet tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Crème de Cassis, ripe blackcurrants, blueberries, plums, tamarind, cola, turmeric, cassis, Allspice & graphite.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with braised wild boar shanks with sweet soy sauce & Star Anise.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 4, 2022

LCBO: 551473

FLEUR CHARDONNAY CARNEROS SELECT 2018, Carneros, Sonoma Valley, California, United States of America

31 Tuesday May 2022

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, Sonoma Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fleur de California
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balance between lightly oaked, citric, creaminess & under 14% alcohol with a price that makes this a really great value for the quality. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, Granny Smith apples, pear, pineapple, clementine, dill, ginger, meringue, honeycomb & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: A blend Chardonnays from the estate vineyards with fruit from two other Sonoma Carneros sites. Whole-cluster press, followed by cool fermentation, and six months aging in French oak barrels. Prolonged yeast contact in oak and lees stirring (batonnage) added texture. (Winery notes)

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 -7 years on its own or pair it with Greek chicken kabobs marinated in olive oil, lemon and tarragon served with Tzatziki and warm pita bread.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: May 30, 2022

LCBO: 311522

JOSÉ MARIA DE FONSECA DOMINI 2018, DOC Douro, Portugal

25 Wednesday May 2022

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and Touriga Francesa
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: José Maria da Fonseca
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, spicy with earthy notes. Quality wine at a great price. 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, blackberry, mulberry, red currants, black & red peppers, Shitake mushrooms, basil, cassis, licorice & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This is the entry level Domini to José Maria’s premium wine Domini Plus, which is one of my favourite red wines.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Chanfana

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: May 23, 2022

LCBO: 452730

CAVE DE BEBLENHEIM CRÉMANT D’ALSACE BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS NV, Traditional Method, AC Alsace, France

23 Monday May 2022

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave de Beblenheim
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Subtle flavours with elegance. 94/100.

Tasting Note: Rose gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light brioche & yeast, strawberry, cherry, Fuji apples, clementine & vanilla custard.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Strawberry, Tomato & Fennel Gazpacho.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: May 22, 2022

LCBO: 25070

DOMAINE CARNEROS AVANT-GARDE PINOT NOIR 2019, Carneros, California, United States of America

15 Sunday May 2022

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

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Cost: $36.95 (Clearance Price: $30.25)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domain Carneros
Alcohol: 13.8 % Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently one of my favourite Pinots. Juicy, tart & delicious: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby with a garnet tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, supple tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, pomegranate, strawberry, rhubarb, cinnamon, cloves, tobacco leaves & pickle beets.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill wine to approximately 15 C

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with roasted duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 14, 2022

LCBO: 11528

DOMAIN GUILLOT-BROUX MÂCON-CRUZILLE 2019, AOC Mâcon-Cruzille, Burgundy, France

19 Tuesday Apr 2022

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

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages Online Exclusive
Country: France
Region: Mâcon-Cruzille, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domain Guillot-Broux
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

This is what a very good gamay should taste like; balanced with complexity, juicy, crisp & gamey. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, green tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, pomegranate, redcurrants, strawberry, portobello mushrooms & peat moss on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic since 1991

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with seared Ahi tuna.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 18, 2022

LCBO: 24169

PEARMUND OLD VINE CHARDONNAY MERIWETHER VINEYARD 2018, Fauquier County, Virginia, United States of America

10 Sunday Apr 2022

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages Online Exclusive
Country: United States of America
Region: Fauquier County, Virginia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pearmund Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see Virginian wines at the LCBO, especially such a delicious one like this one. This is like an aged Bourbon (minus the high alcohol) as it’s smooth, complex, balanced, tangy, citric, spicy & smoked. Score: 99/100.

Tasting Note: Medium bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Kumquat, lemon zest, green apples, pear, peach, grilled pineapple, hazelnut, nutmeg, dill, ginger, honeycomb, butter toast, vanilla & smoked fall leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:
• Meriwether Vineyard is the 1st East Coast vineyard nominated as Grand Cru Vineyard from the American Grand Cru Society, as well as Virginia’s oldest Chardonnay vineyard that was established in 1976.
• The Winery sells this chard for $34 (+tax) US, so it’s a great price for LCBO to sell.
• Don’t over chill this wine in order to bring out all the complexity of the Chard.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Turkey dinner

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 9, 2022

LCBO: 21833

IDI DI MARZO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2019, DOC Abruzzo, Italy

09 Saturday Apr 2022

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

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Villamagna, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Federico de Cerchio Family Estates
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

High score due to exceptional value, high quality, smooth, balanced, simply delicious & tasted the same after trying the wine on a variety of different glassware. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, ripe redcurrants, raspberry, roasted red peppers, licorice, cocoa, thyme, sage, Champagne mushrooms, tobacco leaves & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable wine & Vegan

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Eggplant Parmesan.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: April 8, 2022

LCBO: 23862

CECCHI STORIA DI FAMIGLIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

07 Thursday Apr 2022

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cecchi
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but delicious & smooth all at a great price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, mulberry, pomegranate, thyme, arugula, cocoa powder & leather.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with wood oven pizza with Speck, arugula & a melody of baby tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: April 6, 2022

LCBO: 540922

GRUET BRUT NV, Méthode Champenoise, New Mexico, United States of America

03 Sunday Apr 2022

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: New Mexico
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gruet Winery
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Finesse & elegance sparkling wine at half the price of more well-known Napa sparkling wines. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, sourdough bread, light yeast, lemon zest, green apples, pear, ginger & limestones.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This is Gruet’s 2nd entry to LCBO. I reviewed their rosé earlier, & that was very good as well.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Homemade Oven Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 3, 2022

LCBO: 21172