Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2008, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

24 Sunday Aug 2014

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

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Closson Chase

Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Closson Chase Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Closson Chase
Alcohol: 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

I throw down a challenge to find any Californian high end Chard that is as good as this and with only 12.6% alcohol and under $35

Description: Old gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, butter, crème brulee, toasted marshmallows, lemon tart, tangerines, pink grapefruit, dill, ginger, roasted almonds, Anjou pear and apple crumble pie. Full body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: The wine is on its last leg as it’s gone from fruity and mineral to tertiary notes, but still so good.

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with grilled maple ginger pork chops.

Tasted: 22 Aug 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

ESTANCIA RESERVE BENCHMARK VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2009, Santa Lucia Highlands, California

12 Tuesday Aug 2014

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

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Estancia

Cost: $36.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Estancia
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Reminds me when I was a kid and eating candy apples at the EX

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, wild cherry, raspberry, nutmeg, cloves, and the nose is reminiscent of the smell of smoke from wood burning fireplaces on a crisp autumn night. Medium+ body with light tannins, good acidity, a long length and the high alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with grilled medium rare Wagyu striploin .

Tasted: 8 Aug 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 327049

CHATEAU RAHOUL GRAVES 2010, Ac Graves, France

07 Thursday Aug 2014

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Chateau Rahoul

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: 70% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Rahoul
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth as silk

Description: Deep almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, blackberry, black tea, licorice, cinnamon, umami, tobacco leaf, and oregano. Medium+ body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat on the finish from the 14% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 30 July 2014

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 226043

C.H. BERRES ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2011, Prädkatswein Mosel, Germany

29 Tuesday Jul 2014

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C.H._Berres__rziger_W_rzgarten_Riesling_Sp_tlese_2010_web

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Germany
Region: Mosel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: C.H. Berres
Alcohol: 9.5% Alcohol/Vol.

How could you not love Rieslings when there are gems like this out there and this wine will only get better with age

Description: Although this is medium-dry wine (Spätlese) there a nice balance between sweet and dry. The wine shows bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features Ylang Ylang, petrol, peach, apple pie, honey, orange, ginger, pink grapefruit and limestone. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: C.H Berres consistently makes great Rieslings

Drink now or in the next 20 years on its own or and pair it with jerk chicken.

Tasted: 24 July 2014

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 301952

 

FREI BROTHERS RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

11 Friday Jul 2014

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Frei

Cost: $23.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Frei Brothers
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This smooth & velvety wine shows multiple layers of flavours that are usually found in California Cabs priced over $40

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, black currants, mulberry, anise, cassis, blackberry, dark cherry, turmeric, pencil shavings, cinnamon, cloves, arugula, oregano & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat from the 14.2% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled rib-eye steak.

Tasted: 5 July 2014

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 38075

KEN FORRESTER RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

11 Friday Jul 2014

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Chenin Blanc

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ken Forrester Wines
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Great quality Chenin for a great price

Positives: This wine features lime, green apple, lemon rind, ripe pear, flint, white pepper, limestone and a touch of honey. Medium body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: A little heat from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: 1.The winery uses no herbicides or pesticides and the grapes are handpicked. 2.This wine is an age worthy Chenin that will only get better with age. 3. The best glass was the Chardonnay/Viognier Riedel stemware.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with P.E.I. Mussels Sautéed with Garlic, Shallots & Parsley in White Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 6 July 2014

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 231282

PLUME CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Napa Valley, California, United States

07 Monday Jul 2014

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plume

Cost: $31.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Plume Winery
Alcohol: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This wine is smooth, fully flavoured & delicious

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, cherry, prunes, black and red currants, raspberry, dark chocolate, blueberry, fig, Christmas cake, woodsmoke and tomato leaf. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated considering it’s 14.6%

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The lack of tannins makes this wine optimal drinking experience now and not for cellaring.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or and pair it with grilled cheese sandwich.

Tasted: 2 July 2014

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 287367

FLOWERS SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY 2010, Sonoma Coast, California, United States

21 Saturday Jun 2014

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

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Flowers

Cost: $59.95 (Clearance: $42.00)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flowers Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Premier price for a premier wine

Positives: This complex wine features medium light toasted oak, Easter Lilly, lemon, lemon meringue, orange, pineapple, mango, peach, light caramel, ginger, dill, vanilla and some limestone on the finish. Full body with good acidity & a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The winery uses gravity to move the flow of the grapes and its juice.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with lobster cooked on a beach.

Tasted: 23 May 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9/10, (Clearance: 9+/10) Total: 19/20

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

LCBO: 215210

DOMINI PLUS 2008, DOC Douro, Portugal

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

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Domini Plus

Cost: $39.95
Grape Variety: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz & Touriga Nacional
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: José Maria Da Fonseca
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Simply delicious

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, raspberry, licorice, blueberry, cassis, sage, raisins, fennel, coffee, figs and leather. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 13.5%

Interesting Point: Dominus Plus is probably my favourite Portuguese wine

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled T-bone steak.

Tasted: 9 June 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 19/20

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

LCBO: 343087

MEANDRO DO VALE MEÃO 2011, DOC Douro, Portugal

13 Friday Jun 2014

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Meandro

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: 35% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 27% Tinta Roriz, 3% Sousão, 3% Tinta Barroca, and 2% Tinta Cão
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: F. Olazabal & Filhos
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Danger Will Robinson, this is so good that it’s a 2 bottle night

Positives: This complex smooth wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, raspberry, mulberry, nectarine, licorice, thyme, raisins, mocha, dates and leather. Medium+ body with soft tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14%

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with Portuguese beef Cacoila.

Tasted: 10 June 2014

Top Pick and Best Buy

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 19/20

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

LCBO: 244731