Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

TAITTINGER BRUT RÉSERVE CHAMPAGNE NV, Ac Reims, France

09 Friday Dec 2016

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $60.95
Grape: 46% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Reims
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Taittinger
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious Champagne elegance

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, brioche, lemon, green apple, persimmon, white peach, pear, honeydew melon, honeycomb, almonds, and honeysuckle on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of the best values for higher end Champagnes and celebrated this fine Champagne today for getting my first hole-in-one in golf.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Truffle Risotto topped with grated fresh Parmesano-Reggiano.  

Tasted: 28 November 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 365312

DUTTON GOLDFIELD DUTTON RANCH CHARDONNAY 2012, Russian River Valley, California, United States

03 Saturday Dec 2016

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

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dutton

Cost: $47.25
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dutton Ranch
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

You’re paying for what you’re getting, an excellent California Chard
Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toast, lemon, green and red apples, peach, pineapple, mango, nutmeg, butterscotch, coconut, pine, dill, ginger, vanilla, oak spice and smoked roasted walnuts on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill the wine as it will mute all its favours. Love the fact that the wine is plush & full body while being 13.5% alcohol.

Drink now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Sea Bass with Sizzled Ginger, Chilli and Spring Onions.

Tasted: 22 October 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.9/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 287854

CREEKSIDE ESTATE THE TRAD 2011, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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No Unauthorized Reproduction @Jason Dziver

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance Price: $18.25)
Grape: 56% Pinot Noir, %44 Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Creekside Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style that is complex, smooth & delicious

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mouse. This wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon pie, pear, green apples, honey, ginger, dill and honeydew on the nose. Medium+ body, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Fresh Baked Clams.

Tasted: 30 October 2016

Best buy and top pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 390336

HUFF ESTATE CUVÉE PETER F. HUFF 2010, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

26 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Huff

Cost: $40.00 (Clearance price: $28.05)
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO  Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Huff Estates
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic old vintage Champagne style

Description: Old gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, yeast, sourdough, brioche, lemon, green apples, grapefruit, mandarin, dragon fruit, orange rind, honey, sage, ginger and dill. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “This sparkling wine was handcrafted using 100% Prince Edward County Chardonnay & Pinot Noir. This wine underwent a second fermentation in the bottle and rested for 3 years on lees.” Huff Estates

Drink now on its own or pair it with Lithuanian Stuffed Eggs.

Tasted: 28 August 2016

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 198754

DOMAINE DE LA BAUME ELISABETH VIOGNIER 2014, IGP Pays D’oc, Southern France

22 Saturday Oct 2016

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

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elisabeth

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: South France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine De La Baume
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

How a Viognier should be, smooth, oily with tropical & citric fruit

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, apricot, lychee, mango, orange, pink grapefruit, honey and peach pit. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Drink now or in 5 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Pad Thai.

Tasted: 8 September 2016

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 438796

GIOGANTINU VERMENTINO DI GULLURA 2014, DOCG Gallura, Sardinia, Italy

17 Monday Oct 2016

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Giogantinu

Cost: $17.95 (Clearance: $12.60)
Grape: Vermentino
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Gallura, Sardinia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Giogantinu
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the bottle, love the label, love the wine

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features white peach, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, guava, papaya, lemon rind, flint, limestone and gardenia on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Lucky at the clearance price I bought what was left at the LCBO that I bought this wine.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years, on its own or pair it with Oven Baked Honey Garlic Game Hen.

Tasted: 11 July 2016

Top Pick, Best Buy & Amazing Buy at clearance price

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance: 10/10) Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 435461

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2005, DOCA Rioja, Spain

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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

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Rioja Bordon

Cost: $23.95
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 16% Garnacha, 2% Mazudo, 2% Graciano
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Franco Españolas
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A top notch, youthful Gran Reserva at a good price

Description: Medium garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, cherry, red currants, dried bramble fruit, old leather, shitake mushrooms, vanilla, chalk, and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years, on its own or pair it with Braised Beef Roast with Cherry Balsamic Sauce.

Tasted: 20 July 2016 (Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, without her contribution to my site it would not have the positive impact that it has)

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 428060

CHÂTEAU DES DEMOISELLES 2011, Ac Castillon, Bordeaux, France

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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

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Chateau

Cost: $17.95
Grape: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Castillon, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Demoiselles
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Big on substance, low on price: Can’t ask for more

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, bramble fruit, blueberry, cherry, red & black currants, plum, coffee, thyme, peppercorn, cassis, anise, turmeric, tomato leaf, leather and railway ties on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Serve between 16-18 Celsius

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Gourmet Burgers made with Grass fed Prime Beef, Camembert, truffle Mayo, onion jam and tomatoes.

Tasted: 6 May 2016

Best buy & Top pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 348755

CASTILLO DE ALMANSA ROSADO 2015, DO Almansa, Spain

13 Monday Jun 2016

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

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Castillo

Cost: $11.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Almansa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Piqueras
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A rosé that’s bursting with juicy flavours

Description: Bright pomegranate in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, rhubarb and red roses on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: So far this year this is my favourite rosé

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Chicken Breasts with Strawberry Red Wine Balsamic Sauce.  

Tasted: 31 May 2016

Amazing Buy, Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 445635

PIERREL LES ORESSENCES BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Ac Epernay, France

22 Sunday May 2016

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Pierrel

Cost: $42.95 (Clearance: $30.15)
Grape: 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pierrel
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A savory Champagne

Description: Deep gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features yeast, toasted brioche, Boss pear, lemon meringue, Granny Smith apples, peach, pistachios, nutmeg,  and apple blossoms on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Bacon and Leek Quiche.

Tasted: 22 May 2016

Top pick

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

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

LCBO: 167502