Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

CHÂTEAU LÉOUBE ROSÉ DE LÉOUBE 2018, Côtes De Provence, France

30 Tuesday Jun 2020

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

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Cost: $30.95
Grape: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah & Mourvèdre
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes De Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Léoube
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sometimes is worth paying a higher price for a rosé this good

Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features Rainier cherries, strawberry, tangerine, Fuji apples with honeysuckle & orange blossoms on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: If you’re not familiar with Tartrates in wine (potassium & tartaric acids coming together to form crystals with are is not a negative in wines), this wine has them.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with BBQ Jerk seasoning back ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 29, 2020

LCBO: 491100

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY’S DEAN LIST SYRAH 2018, VQA, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Friday Jun 2020

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: $26.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A classic style Syrah that’s full of berries & spice, all for under $30 and with only 13% alcohol, and it’s made in Ontario!

Tasting Note: Purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, white & black pepper, tobacco leaves, and a gorgeous spicy/smoked nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: How much to I like this wine? I tasted it at the Winery in a small plastic glass & I was wowed by it, so in my official tasting with the proper Syrah stemware, not surprisingly I’m stilled wowed.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 7-8 of years on its own or pair it with lamb saltimbocca with port wine & blackberries.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 26, 2020

13th STREET WINERY L. VISCEK VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

08 Monday Jun 2020

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:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Pure elegance; balanced, smooth, complex & only 13% alcohol. Truly impressive Chard that can compete with the best in the world, and at this price for the quality that you get, I haven’t had a Chard anywhere in the world that is better. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, Gala apples, pineapples, Edward mangos, light oak spice, baby dill pickles, ginger & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Every year JP keeps improving his Viscek Chard, and here I thought his last 2 were great, so does this make it great-great-great?

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 4-6 of years on its own or pair it with Gunn’s Hill Brigio’s Brie (sold at the winery’s bakery store).

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 5, 2020

DOMAINE GASTON & PIERRE RAVAUT LADOIX 2015, AOC, Ladoix, Côtes de Beaune, France

28 Thursday May 2020

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

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Cost: $40.95 (Clearance price: $32.80)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Ladoix, Côtes de Beaune
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Gaston & Pierre Ravaut
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Burgundian Pinot; earthy & tart with a barnyard on the nose

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with high acidity, a medium intense nose, low but firm tannin & an average length on the finish. Wine features cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, raspberry, mushroom, clove, sumac, crushed leaves & barnyard on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with roasted sherry duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 28, 2020

LCBO: 557777

NAPA CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2017, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

23 Saturday May 2020

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: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Napa Cellars
Alcohol:  14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

So a Napa winery can make a delicious balanced Chard that’s creamy, nice but not overly oak, tropical fruit & acidity all under 14.5% alcohol

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green apples, pear, peach, mango, pineapple, clove, light oak spice, apple pie & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 23, 2020

LCBO: 225342

BERNARD-MASSARD CUVÉE DE L’ECUSSON ROSÉ BRUT SPARKLING WINE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Luxembourg

17 Sunday May 2020

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Luxembourg
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bernard-Massard
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I love trying wine from non-tradition wine regions that are rare to get in Ontario, & I am happy to say this is a delight to drink; dry, light & fruity

Tasting Note: Light cooper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lots of strawberry, cherry, green & red apples & thyme.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The winery was founded in 1921

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with charcuterie.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: May 17, 2020

LCBO: 369074

DECOY MERLOT 2107, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

16 Saturday May 2020

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

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $28.00)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: USA
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duckhorn Wine Company
Alcohol:  14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Decoy Merlot is still one of my favourite Merlots & a great value for being under $35 for the quality you’re getting

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plum, mulberry, ripe tamarind, blackberry, tobacco leaves, cloves, Star Anise, and cinnamon.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with charbroil ribeye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 16, 2020

LCBO: 460642

BURROWING OWL ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

08 Friday May 2020

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

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Cost: $33.95 (Clearance price: $23.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burrowing Owl
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Full bodied and rich on the palate with crisp acidity and flavours of exotic tropical fruit that is well balanced with the oak. Simply delicious.

Tasting Note: Bright gold colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features butter toast, lemon, peach, mango, pineapple, poached pear, dill, oak spice, ginger & white flower on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 8, 2020

LCBO: 208694

OAK BAY GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2015, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

30 Thursday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance price: $14.40
Grape: Gewürztraminer
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Hubertus Winery Ltd
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Alsace style Gewürz that is delicious & at a great price

Tasting Note: Deep yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lychee, honeydew melon, peach, key lime pie with rose petals on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The winery is sustainable & organic.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Jamaican jerk chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 29, 2020

LCBO: 11814

REDSTONE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2016, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Monday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Redstone Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Pricey; yes, but this is not your typical Ontario Cab Franc, which is usually simple with a lot of green peppers & twiggy notes. This one is smooth, juicy, complex & balanced

Tasting Note: Light ruby with a touch of garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannins & a long length on the finish. Wine features ripe redcurrants, plum, strawberry, kirsch, beets, sage & tobacco leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Besides the taste, I love the look of the bottle

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with garlic & rosemary balsamic roasted pork loin.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 27, 2020