Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

DOMDECHANT WERNER HOCHEIMER KIRCHENSTUECK RIESLING AUSLESE 2003, Prädikatswein, Rheingau, Germany

15 Sunday Apr 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment


Domdechant Werner Hocheimer Kirchenstueck Riesling Auslese 2003, Prädikatswein Bottle

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Germany
Region: Rheingau
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domdechant Werner’Sches Weingut
Alcohol: 7.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium minus intensity on the nose.

Positives: Dried apricot, mango, beeswax, honey, peach compote, lemon/lime candy, nutmeg & tangerine. Medium sweet, medium+ body with medium acidity, long length & low alcohol.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: It’s unusual to find Riesling with this somewhat muted nose. If you like aged Riesling but don’t like the classic petrol note, this wine is for you. Be careful when drinking this wine as you can easily drink a bottle very quickly so I suggest you get 2 bottles. Make sure you don’t over chill it to get the most out of what this wine has to offer.

Drink two bottles on its own or pair it with jerk pork & chicken.

Tasted: 14 April 12

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 931386

Foley Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot Noir 2007, Santa Rita Hills, California

07 Saturday Apr 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment


Foley Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot Noir 2006, Santa Rita Hills Bottle

Cost: $34.99 CI
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Santa Rita Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foley Estates
Alcohol: 14.3%
Description: Light ruby colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a delightful Pinot, even my wife loved it.  Features classic pinot notes of cranberry, cherry, rhubarb, pine along with spearmint, sage, espresso and cola. Medium minus in body with light tannins, medium acidity, long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with rosemary roasted duck.

Tasted: 6 April 12

Top Pick

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

GLORIA FERRER BLANC DE BLANCS 2005, Carneros California, Méthode Champenoise

25 Sunday Mar 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment


Gloria Ferrer Blanc De Blancs 2005, Carneros, California, Méthode Champenoise Bottle

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Carneros
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Freixenet Sonoma Caves
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ straw colour with fine mousse and a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Absolutely delightful. Notes of yeast, brioche, light toast, granny apples, lemon, orange & limestone.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This bubbly taste closer to $100 Champagne.

Drink now on its own or pair it with caviar.

Tasted: 25 Mar 12

Top Pick & Best Buy

Score: 9.5/10, 10/10, 19.5/20 (one of my highest rated wines)

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO#: 223792

CASALVENTO JANUS 2007, IGT Radda, Chianti Italy

17 Tuesday Jan 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $49.00
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caslavento Ss
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: Opaque ruby in colour with medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: Very smooth & complex wine showing notes of black cherry, plums, pomegranate, raspberry, blackberry, anise, cigar box & slate. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, alcohol is well integrated, very long length & balanced.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Thing: Decant for an hour.

Drink now or cellar for another 10 years. Drink on its own or pair it with Filet Mignon.

Tasted: 16 Jan 12.

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO#: 237594

E. Guigal Condrieu 2006, Northern Rhône, Condrieu, France

14 Saturday Jan 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost:  $52.99
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Appellation: Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Condrieu
Format: 750 ml
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol: 13.5%

Description: Deep golden to amber in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Simply delicious! I hold all viogniers to E. Guigal’s Condrieu. Creamy apricot marmalade, honeysuckle, orange blossom, vanilla, beeswax and lychee.

Negatives: Oxygenated properties have taken hold.

Drink now on its own or pair it with red lumpfish caviar. Even though it’s on it’s down slope, this wine is still delicious.

Interesting Things: If you like nice complex chardonnays you will love this. Due to it’s oxygenated properties it has similar taste to Fiano. 

Tasted: 14 Jan 12

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4.5

Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay 2008, Napa County, California

14 Saturday Jan 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment


Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay 2007, Napa County Bottle

Cost: $64.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Napa County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Newton Vineyard
Alcohol: 15.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Golden yellow in colour with high intensity on the nose.

Positives: Too much to write about but here’s a summary to this complex wine. Medium toasted oak, buttery, cream corn, creme brûlée lemon meringue pie, roasted marshmallows, apple pie, caramel & cashews. Full body, alcohol is well integrated, good acidity & very long length.

Negatives: 15% alcohol. Interesting Things: Don’t over chill it & use the larger Chard wine glasses.

Drink now or cellar it for another 5-7 years. Drinks well on its own as a meal or pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

Tasted: 12 Jan 12

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 1537

RUINART BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS CHAMPAGNE, Reims, France

14 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Ruinart Blanc De Blancs, Champagne Bottle

Cost: $89.00
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Champagne
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Reims
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Champagne Ruinart
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with fine mousse & medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: My wife says it’s yummy with delicious & a touch of tasty. I happen to agree. We also agree it’s one of the best champagnes we’ve tasted. The nose has aromas of fresh baked bread, apple, ginger, jasmine, biscotti & wet stone. The taste shows macadamia nuts, lemon, apple crumble, strawberry/kiwi, tangerine and with a slight lemon peel & ginger on the finish. Medium body with good acidity & long finish.

Negatives: None.

Drink now on its own or with strawberries.

Tasted: 11 Jan 12

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO#: 62984

PAHLMEYER CHARDONNAY 2009, Napa Valley, California

02 Monday Jan 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment


Pahlmeyer Chardonnay 2009, Napa Valley Bottle

Cost: $79.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pahlmeyer
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Lemon gold in colour with medium to medium intensity in the nose.

Positives: Wow! The taste just keep coming in waves. Medium toasted oak with lots of butter, butterscotch, lemon meringue pie, apple, ginger, limestone, peach, mango, tangerine, pineapple, Jicama, naseberry & lemon grass on the finish. The wine is highly complex, full body, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: High alcohol.

Interesting Things: This is my wife’s wine of choice for our New Years Eve dinner & I wholeheartedly agree.

Drink now or cellar it for another 5-7 years. Drink on its own or pair it with roasted hens.

Tasted: 31 Dec 11

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8/10, Score: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO:# 147454

FLAT ROCK CELLARS RESERVE CHARDONNAY, 2007 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario

22 Thursday Dec 2011

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $35.20
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a nice wine showing lemon/lime, ginger, apple, medium toasted oak, buttery biscuit, roasted marshmallow, mango, pineapple & limestone. Medium to full body, good acidity, long length, balanced & complex. Not your typical Ontario Chard having tropical notes with medium alcohol & I love that.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1. Use the larger Chard glass that would go with California or Australian Chards. I tried it in a cool climate Chard glass & the bitterness really came out. 2. Screw cap. 3. I like the minimalist label.

Drink now or cellar it for another 2-3 years. Drink on its own or pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

Tasted: 21 Dec 11.

Top Pick, Price Not Withstanding

Best Buy on sale price of $24.70.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 198812

MONT-MARÇAL BRUT RESERVA CAVA, Catalunya, Spain

27 Sunday Nov 2011

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

≈ Leave a comment


Mont Marçal Brut Reserva Cava, Do Bottle

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Xarello, Macabeu, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Catalunya
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mont-Marcal
Alcohol: 11.5 %
Description: Bright gold in colour with fine mousse & medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Fresh & lively best describes this sparkler. Green & red apples with lemon & some ginger dominate. There’s traces of limestone to give it a touch of minerality. The wine is medium body, good acidity, medium + length & delicious.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This is one of if not my favorite Cava that I have tasted. Traditional Method.

Drink now on its own or have it with Chinese food.

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: 26 Nov 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 229021