Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

Peller Estates ICE CUVÉE CLASSIC, VQA Niagara Peninsula

24 Sunday Apr 2011

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

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53199_web

Cost: $31.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Peller Estates
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Made in the traditional “méthode” with vidal ice wine dosage (115ml) added.  Clear medium straw colour with Med+ intensity, small and abundant amount of mousse. On the nose I got apple, yeast, kiwi, orange, apricots and lemon marmalade.  The taste is clean, off-dry, medium body, med+ acidity, balanced with med+ length. On the taste there is a lot of orange, especially in the aftertaste, papaya, ripe green apples, lemon marmalade, kiwi and light minerality. I don’t feel this is a sweet sparkling, but the notes of the orange gives a sweet perception on the palate.  Went very well with cheese, tomato, mushroom and onion omelette. 

Tasted: 23 April 2011

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17.5/20 

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4 

LCBO#53199

LENZ MOSER PRESTIGE GRÜNER VELTLINER 2009

21 Thursday Apr 2011

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

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71233_web

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Grüner Veltliner
Category: White Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Austria      
Region: Niederösterreich  
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Lenz Moser Gesselschaft M.B.H.
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Description:Med straw colour with a slight green tinge. The nose has med+ intensity, and shows green apple, key-lime, grapefruit, limestone, white pepper, thyme and cucumber. On the taste, dry, good acidity, med- body, med+ complex with medium length and well balanced. Taste is like what’s on the nose with the addition of honeydew melon.  Very nice drinking GV. Drink on its own (on a nice spring or summer day by the pool) or with food. Pairs well with Seared Sea Scallops made by Chef Tobias from Red Canoe Bistro in Burlington.

Best Buy

Tasted: 19 April 2011

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#71233

CATHEDRAL CELLAR, TRIPTYCH, 2007

18 Monday Apr 2011

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

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53124_web

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety:
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: KWV
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby colour, with med+ intensity. True cab Sauvignon notes of cedar, turmeric, blackberry, plum, smokey notes, earth tones, high complexity on nose. Truly a beautiful nose. Taste is medium tannins with medium acid. Full body, easy to drink with or without food. Taste shows anise, blueberry, cassis, raspberry, plums, bacon & some earth tones like leather. Med+ length. KWV consistently produced excellent value wines & this doesn’t disappoint.

Score: 9.5, Value: 10, total: 19.5

Best Buy

Tasted: April 2011

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

DÔLE DU VALAIS 2007, Swiss Valley. Pinot Noir & Gamay

18 Monday Apr 2011

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

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160697_web

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Switzerland
Region: Swiss Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Provins
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour. High intensity on nose. Love the aromas of cherry, cranberry, rhubarb, light milk chocolate mousse, earth tones with roses. On taste med- body, med+ length, low tannins & med acidity leads to a well balanced & excellent priced Pinot. Flavours as with the nose with addition of pomegranates & juicy red apples. I like the fact that this wine is not high in alcohol. Very food friendly, pairs well with Quail, lamb, pork & tuna. Also very pleasant on it’s own. Bought it on sale for $13.35, but even regular price still a Best Buy. Drink now.

Score: 9+/10 Value: 10/10, Total: 19+/20. One of the best light Pinot’s I’ve tried for under $20.

Tasted 17 April 2011.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#160697

CHATEAU HAUT BERNASSE MONBAZILLAC, 2003

12 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Fortified & Desert Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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 Château Haut-Bernasse

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety:
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Southwest France
Format: 500 mL
Producer: Jules Et Marie Villette
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: TASTING NOTE: This sweetie won a Silver Medal at Concours Général Agricole de Paris, 2010. Bright, deep yellow-gold in the glass, with gorgeous aromas of peach purée, ripe mango, dried apricot, honeycomb and floral. It’s sweet, with a pretty seam of acidity keeping things lively. Full body, and a decadent, unctuous texture. Simply scrumptious. Ready to drink now, expect it to show well for 15+ years. Savour with (or as) dessert, or with milder aged cheeses. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2010)

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

These are my personal tasting notes:
Colour is bright old gold. What a beautiful nose, with ripe peach, apricot, cinnamon, nutmeg, mango, orange rind & roses. Taste is sweet, but not overtly. Good acidity, long length & balanced. Taste as nose. Pairs well with chocolate orange mousse. Best Buy.

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

Tasted 11 April 2011.

LCBO# 194225