INNISKILLIN OKANAGAN ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

11 Monday Jan 2016

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Inniskillin BC

Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin Estates
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A spicy Chard that has lots of character & quality for under $15

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, MacIntosh apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I really like Inniskillin’s Niagara Peninsula Chard, same year, reviewed by me and this one takes it by a nose.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken with Creamy Dill Sauce.

Tasted: 6 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 423236

MENGER-KRUG ROSÉ BRUT NV, Rheinhessen, Germany

11 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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menger-krug-rose-sekt-brut-pfalz-germany-10000679

Cost: $28.50 (Cayman Dollars)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Tortuga Fine Wines & Spirits
Country: Germany
Region: Rheinhessen
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Menger-Krug
Alcohol: U/K% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting Sekt, not a traditional rosé sparkling wine

Description: Light copper in colour with a medium nose. This wine features yeast, strawberry, apricot, passion fruit, orange candy slices and coconut on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Note: Slightly oxidized, but unsure if it’s the bottle or the style

Interesting: Fermented in the bottle

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with spicy tomato omelette.

Tasted: 11 January 2016

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

BERONIA ELABORACIÓN ESPECIAL TEMPRANILLO 2012, DOC Rioja, Spain

07 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Beronia

Cost: $15.95 (Sale until 31 Jan 2016: $13.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja style that’s smooth and delicious at a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features sandalwood, strawberry, dark cherry, pomegranate, grilled red peppers, cloves, cinnamon, cigar box, oregano, vanilla and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14% alcohol.

Interesting Note: My first experience with this wine was in the Cayman Islands. Sadly, until now it wasn’t available at the LCBO. Today it’s on their general list.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Lamb Chops in Rosemary Garlic Marinade.

Tasted: 2 January 2016

Best Buy (Amazing Buy at the sale price)

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 426981

WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Austalia

03 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Red Wines

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Wolf Blass

Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until 3 Jan 2016 $13.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Longhorne Creek, McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wolf Blass
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Commercial style Cab from Aussie land

Description: Dark purple to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features oak, cherry pie, ripe blueberries, plums, licorice, chocolate and vanilla. Full body average with light tannins, average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little too jammy and sweet for my taste

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Braised Pork Chops topped with a spicy grilled fruit salsa.

Tasted: 28 Dec 2015

Score: 8+/10, Value: 8+/10 (Sale: 8.5/10) Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO: 251876

INNISKILLIN RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Sunday Jan 2016

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Inniskilin

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A truly enjoyable well balanced Chard with lots of finesse.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features lightly toasted oak, lemon, green & red apples, pineapple, oak spice, dill, some ginger and lightly buttered. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of the more enjoyable and better priced Ontario Chards.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor.

Tasted: 28 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 383562

MCMANIS CHARDONNAY 2014, River Junction, California

03 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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McManis

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: United States
Region: River Junction, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: McManis Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Well balanced & elegant California chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green & Spy apples, peach, honeydew melon, pineapple, dill and butterscotch on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Screw top

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Ginger and Honey Chicken Wings.

Tasted: 30 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 265983

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Jan 2016

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Southbrook

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $16.15)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced & elegant Ontario chard with finesse that can go up against Napa Chards priced higher

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, green & Spy apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic grapes used and it’s a screw top. I was fortunate to find this wine at the clearance price, and bought the 7 bottles they had.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with escargot in garlic butter.

Tasted: 1 January 2016

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance: 10/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 172338

WENTE SOUTHERN HILLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Southern Hills, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California, United States

02 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Wente Cab

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Southern Hills, Livermore Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Intoxicating bouquet followed by a well-balanced taste

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, tamarind, blackcurrants, mulberry, turmeric, anise, cinnamon, cloves, leather, pencil shavings, mocha and a violets on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Probably one of the best Cabs for under $20 I’ve had. Tastes like a $35 Napa Cab.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Tamarind and Balsamic Braised Beef Short Ribs.

Tasted: 28 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 301507

WENTE MORNING FOG CHARDONNAY 2014, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California, United States

02 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Wente Chard

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Well made California chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green-yellow-red apples, honeydew melon, pineapple and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Apple Slow Cooked Pork Chops.

Tasted: 29 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 175430

FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Featherstone.

Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Featherstone Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting story, too bad the wine is also all about oak

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon tarts, guava, passion fruit, oak spice, vanilla and taffy. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Too much oak and sour long finish

Interesting Note: Grapes sources from Niagara Peninsula, using wild fermented yeast and aged in local oaked barrels.

Drink now or in the next 3 years. Needs food so soften the wine up. Pair it with Chicken Alfredo with Nutmeg and Bacon.

Tasted: 25 Dec 2015

Score: 8+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 16.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO: 149302