Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Canada

17 Monday Sep 2018

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $21.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Speck Family
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Canadian Chards that rise to the $30 or more price range need to be world class, and the Speck Family Reserve does just that.

Positives: Full body, oak driven but balanced with acidity. Yellow in colour with notes of lemon meringue, green and golden apple, pear, crème brûlée, butter popcorn

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Normally, these full body, buttery Chards are usually high in alcohol (14% to 14.5&), but this one is does all the beautiful things and stays at 13.5%.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 25, 2018

LCBO: 616466

COLUMBIA CREST WALTER CLORE PRIVATE RESERVE 2007, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

12 Saturday Aug 2017

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

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Cost: $49.99 Cayman Islands
Grape: 65.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32.1% Merlot, 2.7% Cab Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s Grand Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Crest
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Columbia Valley Bordeaux style wine that doesn’t disappoint

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, boysenberry, blackberry, cherry, prunes, dark chocolate, coconut, vanilla, turmeric, pencil shavings, cloves, anise and Portobello mushrooms on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 – 5 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Lamb with Peppers and Oregano.

Tasted: 2 Aug 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

POWERS VIOGNIER 2015, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States

20 Thursday Jul 2017

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

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Badger Mountain Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Deliciously expressing the Viognier grape at an excellent price

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, pear, lemon tart, apricot, Fuji apples, Honeydew melon, clementine, honey and peach pit on the finish. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a good length.

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this wine or you’ll loose its complexity.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Veal Piccata with Parsley and Capers.

Tasted: 7 July 2017

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

Best Buy & Top Pick

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 486993

 

ROSEHALL RUN JCR PINOT NOIR 2010, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

19 Monday Jun 2017

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

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Cost: $39.50
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rosehall Run Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Burgundian in style & in price, but worth it

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, sour cherry, black cherry, raspberry, Champagne mushrooms, graphite, earthiness and lavender with peat moss on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill to 15C and use the balloon style glasses.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon.

Tasted: 13 June 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 326504

CLOUDY BAY CHARDONNAY 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand

29 Monday May 2017

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

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Cost: $36.95 (Clearance price: $25.90)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cloudy Bay
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne without the bubbles

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, yeast, lemon, lime, kiwi, peach, pear, apricot, ginger, dill, smoked almonds and peat moss on the nose. Full body with light tannin, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill, and use the larger Montrachet style stemware 

Drink now or in the next 5-10 of years on its own or pair it with Oven Poached Pacific Sole with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce.

Tasted: 22 April 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5), Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 359513

LUIGI BOSCA GALA 2, 2011, Mendoza, Argentina

21 Tuesday Mar 2017

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

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luigi-bosca

Cost: $27.99 CI
Grape: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Tortuga Fine Wines & Spirits, Cayman Islands
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Luigi Bosca
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious!

Description: Medium to dark ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, ripe plums, raspberry, dates, blueberry, cloves, cassis, black olives, pepper, espresso, cocoa, mint, leather, pencil shavings and smoked tobacco on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of my highest rated wines and I got it on sale for $15!!!

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Stuffed Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce.

Tasted: 26 January 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST 2011, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

18 Saturday Mar 2017

Posted by in 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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2011deanlistchardonnay1

Cost: $25.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Not the typical commercial produced Chard so I give this Dean List Chard an A

Description: Bright old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, butter, lemon, pineapple, orange, clove, oak spice and on the nose. Medium= body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I like the Dean’s List report card on the label. What’s interesting is that on the label the aging potential is listed to 2014. However, on the winery web site, they have the aging potential of 2018, with which I agree.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Honey and Clove Glazed Pork Chops.

Tasted: 3 February 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

MIGRATION CHARDONNAY 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

18 Saturday Mar 2017

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

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migration

Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duckhorn Wine Company
Alcohol: 14.1 % Alcohol/Vol.

Classic RRV Chard, love it

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, butter, lemon, tangerine, peach, peaches & cream corn, fresh dill, lemon meringue, and apple blossom on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note:

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Poached Corvina Seabass.

Tasted: 13 February 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 396309

BARON-FUENTÉ GRANDS CÉPAGES CHARDONNEY NV, Ac Champagne, France

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $71.95 (Sale Price: $57.75)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO Vintage
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron-Feunté
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

This Blanc de Blanc is not for the faint at heart

Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon zest, green & yellow apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lime, ginger, cardamom, salted almonds and fresh cut carnations. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my wife for this Champagne for my birthday

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point Oysters.

Tasted: 12 March 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale Price: 9/10), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 471045

FREIXENT BLANC DE BLANC CAVA BRUT TRADITIONAL METHOD NV, Sant Sadurni d’Anoia, Spain

13 Monday Feb 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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freixenet-blanc-de-blancs-brut-cava-catalonia-spain-10713841

Cost: $16.99 (CI)
Grape: White grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Spain
Region: Sant Sadurni d’Anoia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Freixenet
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking, delicious, creamy yet refreshing & inexpensive

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense and fine mousse nose. This complex wine features light toast, biscuit, pineapple, Bosc pear, white chocolate, lemon tart, apple pie and orange blossom the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Freixenet web site doesn’t list this wine.

Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with pineapple dipped in white chocolate fondue.

Tasted: 2 January 2017

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: /10 Total: /20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+