Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

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

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

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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

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

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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

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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

CHAMPAGNE HENRIOT BRUT SOUVERAIN NV, Reims, Champagne, France

28 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Henriot

Cost: $56.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Champagne
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: France
Region: Reims
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henriot
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep straw in colour, a medium to medium+ intense nose with fine mousse.

This may be my new favourite Champagne

Positives: This complex smooth Champagne features medium toasted crostini, brioche, yeast, white flowers, lemon zest, orange, Anjou pears, green and yellow apples, ginger, honey and toasted almonds. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years and pair it with caprese salad made with Mozzarella di Bufala.

Tasted: 28 May 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO: 959643

SAINT CLAIR BLOCK 15 PINOT NOIR 2010, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

20 Tuesday May 2014

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

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Block 15

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Consignment
Country: New Zealand
Region: Lower Waihopai Valley, Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Saint Clair Family Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour with an intense nose.

My favourite wine at the New Zealand Wine Tasting in Toronto

Positives: The nose on this Pinot is simply amazing, so much I wish I had an oxygen mask with the aromas being pumped into it. This wine features pine, purple lilacs, black cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, smoked ambers and cardamom. Medium body with  gently tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Not yet imported by LCBO

Interesting Point: Sourced from a single vineyard by the mouth of the Waihopai Valley from clones115, and 777.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with braised slow cooked Bison short ribs.

Tasted: 8 May 2014

Top Pick

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

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

THYMIOPOULOS VINEYARDS YN KAI OUPAVÓ XINOMAVRO 2010 UNFILTERED, Naoussa, Greece

27 Sunday Apr 2014

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Greek

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Xinomavro
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Naoussa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thymiopoulos
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A smooth wine with good quality & the nose is to die for

Positives: This complex wine features pine, roses, blackberry, Bing cherry, raspberry, Star anise, Allspice, cinnamon & turn tamarind. Medium+ body and tannins, with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The name ‘Earth and Sky’ appears on the label in Greek, German, French, Japanese, English, and what appears to be a pictograph.

Drink now or in the next 3 years and pair it with Ruth Chris steak.

Tasted: 26 April 2014

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

Top Pick, Best Buy

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

LCBO: 360750