Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

ARTERRA CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance Price: $21.05)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arterra Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
One of the better made Ontario Chards that seems like a hybrid of Meursault & Puligny-Montrachet styles. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Rich yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, peach, pineapple, lemon grass, toasted almonds, drawn butter, ginger, oak spice, vanilla, limestone & crushed stones.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Crab Coconut Thai Soup with Lemon Grass & Rice Noodles

My Opinion: Highly Recommended
Top Pick & Best Buy at Clearance Price
Tasted: Jan 20, 2022
LCBO: 577007

OAK BAY PINOT NOIR 2019, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

10 Monday Jan 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, 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: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery
Alcohol:  13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently good vintage to vintage & one would be hard to find a better Pinot under $20.  Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, red plum, beetroot, peat moss, Champagne mushrooms & smoked cherry tobacco on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vineyards planted in 1928, Oak Bay now is 100% sustainable & organically maintained.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 6-7 years on its own or pair it with Honey Roasted Duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 9, 2022 LCBO: 267146

FORTANT GRANDS TERROIRS 2018, AOC Minervois, Languedoc, France

09 Sunday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Minervois, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fortant
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive both taste & cost. On the taste it’s complex, full flavoured, smoky & meaty.  Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, blackberries, cassis, cloves, cocoa, sage, black pepper, licorice, anise, portobello mushrooms, black olives & smoked ambers.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: After trying several styles of wine glassware, I found that the Syrah style was the best as it gave the wine a smoother after taste than other styles such as Bordeaux.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Pappardelle Pasta with Portobello Mushroom Ragu.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 8, 2022

LCBO: 20713

LAGAR DE ROBLA PREMIUM MENCIA 2016, DO Castilla y León, Spain

07 Friday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Mencia
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Viños de Arganza
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body wine that’s complexed & not jammy or sweet plus it’s under $20. Great alternative for someone that wants a red wine other than the classic varietals. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, tamarind, blackberries, raisins, cassis, cloves, dark chocolate, sage, Allspice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: After trying several styles of wine glassware, I found that the Syrah style was the best as it gave the wine a smoother after taste than other styles such as Bordeaux.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Spanish Beef Empanadas

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 6, 2022

LCBO: 439729

KEN FORRESTER OLD VINES RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2020, Stellenbosch, South Africa

06 Thursday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ken Forrester Vineyards
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A consistent winner year to year, delivers citric, spicy & smoky notes. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, spicy backed apples, pink grapefruit, white peach, flint, honeycomb, vanilla & verbena on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “They farm sustainably with no herbicides or pesticides, till by hand, prune thin bunches and leaves all by hand and finally harvest by hand.” (KF)

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Crayfish Boil.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 5, 2022

LCBO: 231282

CAMPILLO BLANCO FERMENTADO EN BARRICA 2019, DOC Rioja, Spain

22 Wednesday Dec 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Viura & Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain        
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Campillo
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex wine that’s intense with layers of flavours. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Aged gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lime, honeydew melon, quince, lemon verbena tea, orange zest, pistachios, cardamon, toast, vanilla & flint.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Seafood Paella

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: Dec 21, 2021

LCBO: 657478

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

15 Wednesday Dec 2021

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious Pinot Gris with elegance & complexity. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium straw in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon-lime, pink grapefruit, pear, white peach, honeycomb, vanilla, thyme, limestone & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sourced from Home Farm Vineyard in Creek Shores, the grapes were fermented and aged in a selection of 228, 400 & 500 Litre French barrels for 12 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with seafood gumbo.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 25, 2021

ROMBAUER CARNEROS CHARDONNAY 2019, Carneros, California, United States of America

08 Wednesday Dec 2021

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

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Cost: $63.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rombauer Vineyards
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full disclosure: Rombauer Chard has been my favourite chard for years, but this vintage is one of their best if not their best vintage to date. Big, bold, luscious & buttery. Score: 99/100 (my highest rating of any wine to date).

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Butter on white toasted bread, lemon, peach, mango, pineapple, D’Anjou pear, lemon meringue pie, crème brûlée, nutmeg, ginger, dill & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it. Serve 13°C to 15°C

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 17, 2021

LCBO: 441089

HILARIO CORBIÈRES 2019, AOP Corbières, Languedoc, France

16 Tuesday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corbières, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Confrerie Des Domaines
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious spicy, mouth-watering wine. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Deep dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, bramble fruit, black peppercorn, cocoa, arugula, sage & fresh cut carnations.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Shank.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 12, 2021

LCBO: 15170

CHÂTEAU HYOT 2018, AC Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France

15 Monday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alain Aubert Proprietors
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious classic Bordeaux wine at a great price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, red pepper, cocoa, tamarind, anise, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: If this was made in Ontario, the wine would be going for $30 to $40.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Prime Rib Steak

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 11, 2021

LCBO: 63537