Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

MELINI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2017, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

04 Thursday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale Price until Nov 7, 2021: $16.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Melini
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive DOCG Chianti Classico Riserva at a great price. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, balsamic, arugula, licorice, dry sage & oregano.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Melini was founded in 1705

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 10 years on its own or pair it with Stone Pizza with Speck, Arugula, Harissa & Tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 3, 2021

LCBO: 487819

ANTHONIJ RUPERT L’ORMARINS CAP CLASSIQUE BLANC DE BLANCS 2013, W.O Western Cape, South Africa

02 Tuesday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: W.O Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rupert Wines
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A true expression of a vintage Blanc de Blancs at great price. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, light yeast & toast, kiwi, green apples, lime, pear & oyster shells.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The L’Ormarins range was initially established as a Cap Classique range, named after French Huguenot, Jean Roi’s hometown Lourmarins in Provence.” Rupert Wines

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 10 years on its own or pair it with Blue Point Oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 31, 2021

LCBO: 15681

CHÂTEAU MONCONTOUR TÊTE DE CUVÉE VOUVRAY SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Vouvray

24 Sunday Oct 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Moncontour
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking but with complexity. This delicious Brut wine is juicy with tropical fruit notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, light yeast, baked apples, mango, peach, lemon, kiwi, roasted nuts, limestone & jasmine on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine matures at least for 20 months in bottle after the second fermentation and before disgorgement in cool cellars carved out of the limestone cliffs beneath the Château.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Vegetables & Goat Cheese Tart.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 24, 2021

LCBO: 207936

MALLORY & BENJAMIN TALMARD MÂCON-UCHIZY 2020, AOC Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais, France

19 Tuesday Oct 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mâcon-Uchizy, Mâconnais
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Talmard
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made. This delicious Chard has finesse & elegance, all at a bargain price for this quality. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pear, peach, almonds, light ginger, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Winery was founded in the 17th Century and is still family owned.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years & pair it with Roasted Portobello Pepper Caps with Goat Cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 18, 2021

LCBO: 733956

FOLIE À DEUX CHARDONNAY 2018, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

16 Saturday Oct 2021

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol:  14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

From one of my favourite AVA’s, this Chard doesn’t disappoint. Not only is this a beautiful full body, complex & balanced wine, but it’s also made under 14.5% alcohol. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, Golden Delicious apple, peach, clementine, pear, pineapple, mango, kumquat, apricot, Allspice, caramel & honey.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Folie à Deux wines are sustainably grown in Sonoma County.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 8, 2021

LCBO: 146951

MICHEL GASSIER EMBRUNS DE VIOGNIER 2020, Pay D’Oc, France

30 Thursday Sep 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Camargue, Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Gassier
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A beautifully made Viognier with richness, oiliness & full of flavour.  Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, apricot, Golden Delicious apple, peach, clementine, nectarine & oyster shell.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is Bio Organic.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Tangerine Sage Rotisserie Chicken. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 29, 2021

LCBO: 669531

GASSIER SABLES D’AZUR ROSÉ 2020, AOP Provence, France

22 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Cinsault, Grenache & Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Advini
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious dry rosé that is elegant & full of flavour. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Rose gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier Cherries, strawberries, cranberries, peach, Fuji Apples, limestone & bouquet of roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Moroccan quail with rose-petal sauce & cucumber relish.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 21, 2021

LCBO: 33621

PONGRÁCZ BRUT PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY CAP CLASSIQUE, NV, W.O. Western Cape, South Africa

19 Sunday Sep 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: W.O. Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves de Pongrácz
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality, complexity & delicious to drink all at an amazing price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Baked apples, light yeast, brioche, green apples, kumquat, kiwi & honeycomb & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: In my opinion Pongrácz produces the best sparkling, in the traditional method, at an amazing price, bar none. Check out my review of their rosé sparkling wine. In addition, I love the shape of their bottles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with red onion vinaigrette.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 19, 2021

LCBO: 404111

13th STREET WINERY L. VISCEK VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Tuesday Sep 2021

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

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

Classic quality cool climate, Vegan friendly, Chardonnay that will get better with aging. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, clementine, baking spice & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 13th Street Viscek Vineyard Chards have consistently been good.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with garlic roasted chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Sept 11, 2021

CHÂTEAU DE NAGES JT 2018, AOP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, Frane

04 Wednesday Aug 2021

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: 70% Roussanne, 15% Viognier, 15% Grenache Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Costières de Nîmes, Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Nages
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Big, bold & beautiful, very Montrachet in style without being a Chard. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon pie, lemon zest, apricot, peach, orange pith, pineapple, golden apples, granny apples, pear, honey, vanilla with orange blossoms & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the larger Montrachet glassware and don’t over chill it to bring out all that this wine has to offer.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Mahi-mahi ceviche with pineapple salsa.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Aug 2, 2021

LCBO: 485854