POL ROGER BRUT RÉSERVE CHAMPAGNE NV, AOC Epernay, Champagne, France

12 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Pol Roger

Cost: $64.25
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pol Roger
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Lighter style Champagne that is truly classic

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This Champagne features brioche, yeast, lemon/lime, Anjou pear, peach, grapefruit, green apples, pistachios, toasted coconut, limestone and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium body with crisp acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with lobster eggs Benedict.

Tasted: 12 March 2016 (Happy Birthday to me!)

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

Top Pick

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

LCBO Online: 217158

CONCHA Y TORO DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008, DO Maipo Valley, Chile

10 Thursday Mar 2016

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

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Don Melchor 2008

Cost: $70.00
Grape: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Online
Country: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Concha Y Toro
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Cab at half the price of a comparable Napa Cab

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blueberry, plum, blackcurrants, Allspice, cassis, espresso, eucalyptus, pepper, pencil shavings and cigar box. Medium+ body with crisp acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Herb Garlic and Black Pepper Crusted Kansas City cut strip steak.

Tasted: 10 March 2016

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

Top Pick

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

LCBO Online: 403980

MARTIN RAY CHARDONNAY 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

10 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in White Wines

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Martin Ray

Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Lean but suave Chard which possesses a nice balance of oak, fruit & minerality

Description: Gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, pear, red & green apples, tangerine, nutmeg, dill, light oak spice and limestone. Medium+ body with some light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Nice to see a Russian River Valley Chard for under $30 and under 14% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Piccata with lemon caper sauce.

Tasted: 22 February 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 57067

ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA 2014, DOC San Benedetto del Tornto, Marche, Italy

10 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Lugana

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Trebbiano di Lugana
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: San Benedetto del Tronto, Marche
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Zenato
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, clean, refreshing with layers of flavours

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features honeysuckle, apricot, Asian pear, grapefruit, green apple, peach pit, limestone and a touch almond. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This could easily pass for a Viognier. Don’t over chill as it will loose it’s underneath layers.

Thanks to Maria from LCBO for recommending this wine to me.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Trout with Garlic Lemon Butter Herb Sauce.

Tasted: 21 February 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 707158

PIERRE SPARR CRÉMANT D’ALSACE BRUT ROSÉ NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Ac Alsace, France

10 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Sparkling Wine

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Pierre Sparr Rose

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pierre Sparr
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, easy to drink sparkler

Description: Copper in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This sparkling wine features pink grapefruit, raspberry, strawberry and clementine. Medium body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Florentine and Crispy Sage Potatoes.

Tasted: 21 February 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 39016

CONO SUR SINGLE VINEYARD BLOCK 21 PINOT NOIR 2013, DO San Antonio Valley, Chile

05 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cono Sur Pinot

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: San Antonio Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Well this is a pleasant surprise!  Easy drinking yet full of flavour

Description: Ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, rhubarb, cranberry, dark cherry, raspberry pie, strawberry, cured meat and violets with smoked amber on the nose. Medium+ body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Good balance of sweetness without the typical cloying jammy notes. Nice label. Remember to lightly chill and use the balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with tuna tartare.

Tasted: 5 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 419010

STREWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Strewn

Cost: $20.25
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the nose & although a tad astringent the taste is still quite good

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black & red currants, plum, cassis, cloves, cinnamon, bell pepper, dry herbs, tobacco leaves, leather and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Decanting for min 30 minutes is recommended to smooth out the astringency.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Red Wine Braised Oxtail.

Tasted: 20 February 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 426502

13th STREET CUVÉE ROSÉ BRUT NV, Methode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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13th

Cost: $24.95 (Sale until 28 Feb 2016: $22.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rustic rosé sparkling wine that has underlying charm.

Description: Rustic brick red in colour with a medium intense nose. This sparkling wine features light yeast, strawberry, McIntosh apples, truffles and forest greens. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Originally tasted in 2014, and this batch is better.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Mushroom and Prosciutto, Asparagus and Brie Tartines.

Tasted: 14 February 2016 (Happy Valentines Day)

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 147504

MAGNOTTA GRAN RISERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, International & Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Magnotta Cab

Cost: $29.20 (Sale until 29 Feb 2016: $19.20)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: International & Canada
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Black currants dominate this wine a little too much

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, lots of blackcurrant, plums, mulberry, cassis and nutmeg. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a fairly long length.

Negatives: One dimensional

Interesting Note: Over priced, even at the sales price

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Bacon and Blue Cheese Burgers.

Tasted: 13 February 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 (Sale price: 8+/10) Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

PICO and VINE PINOT NOIR 2013, Russian River Valley, California, United States

13 Saturday Feb 2016

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

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Pico & Vine

Cost: $26.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, juicy, not overpowering, well-balanced & delicious

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, cranberry, plum, pumpkin spice, damp moss and light wood smoke. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity, a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and lightly chill.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Smoked Venison Roast.

Tasted: 12 February 2016

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 438549