JACOB’S CREEK RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013, Adelaide Hills, Australia

02 Wednesday Dec 2015

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Jacob's

Cost: $14.95 (Clearance price: $12.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacob’s Creek
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A true value Chard that stands out from the rest in this price range

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon zest, honeydew melon, white peach, pear, green apples, nutmeg, clove and coconut. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this wine in order to for all the flavours to come out. I love that an entry level Chard has moderate alcohol of 13% vs 14% or higher.

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

Tasted: 16 Nov 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 270017

DEAKIN ESTATE VIOGNIER 2014, Australia

02 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Deakin Viognier

Cost: $10.80 (Clearance price: $8.70)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO
Country: Australia
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Deakin Estates
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy drinking lighter style Viognier

Description: Pale straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features apricots, Kiwi, lime, honeysuckle and clementine. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Braised Rabbit with artichokes and bacon.

Tasted: 17 Nov 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 399253

KWV CATHEDRAL CELLAR 2013, Western Cape, Australia

02 Wednesday Dec 2015

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Cathedral

Cost: $15.95 (Sale price until 29 Nov 2015: $13.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: KWV Cathedral Cellar
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A Cab that taste twice it’s cost

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plums, boysenberry, nectarine, turmeric, cassis, eucalyptus, cinnamon, thyme and smoked leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Venison Roast with red wine and juniper berries.

Tasted: 18 Nov 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 328567

OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand

01 Tuesday Dec 2015

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Oyster Bay

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $16:00)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oyster Bay
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A light charming Pinot that has character for under $20

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, rhubarb, nutmeg, kiwi, wet moss and light smoky underbrush. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Remember to lightly chill this wine.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Squab Pigeon with Leeks.

Tasted: 22 Nov 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 590414

PIERRE SPARR CRÉMANT D’ALSACE BRUT RESERVE NV, Traditional Method, Ac Alsace, France

01 Tuesday Dec 2015

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Pierre Sparr Cremant

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

Off dry, simple Champagne style sparkler that’s nice

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, white flower, mandarin, pear, melon, pink grapefruit and some minerality on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Scallops in Herbed Brown Butter.

Tasted: 22 Nov 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: 388603

LINDEMAN’S BIN 65 CHARDONNAY 2015, South Eastern Australia, Australia

01 Tuesday Dec 2015

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Lindemans

Cost: $10.95 (Sale price: $9.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: South Eastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lindeman’s
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistent value Aussy Chard for $10

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, golden & green apples, grapefruit, pear, ginger, dill & a dusting of coconut. Medium+ body with high acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little too tart on the finish

Interesting Note: More food friendly than just drinking on its own.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Coconut Shrimp with Mango Horseradish.

Tasted: 19 Nov 2015

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9+/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 142117

FOLIE À DEUX CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

16 Monday Nov 2015

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Folie Cab

Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, well balanced & delicious

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plum, cherry, mulberry, spearmint, Allspice, turmeric, cocoa, cola and leather. Full body with green tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.1% alcohol

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour before serving.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Brazilian style flank steak with chimichurri sauce.

Tasted: 11 Nov 2015 (Lest We Forget)

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

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

LCBO: 186163

GRANGE OF PRINCE EDWARD PINOT NOIR 2013, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

16 Monday Nov 2015

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Grange

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards & Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A lighter Old World style Pinot for under $20

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine displays a lot of earthy notes, Shitake mushrooms, forest floor, wet moss & twigs, followed by cranberry, sour cherry and Christmas cake. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This wine grows on you. Remember to lightly chill it.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Wild Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil.

Tasted: 12 Nov 2015

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

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

LCBO: 230227

HAHN PINOT NOIR 2014, Monterey County, California, United States

16 Monday Nov 2015

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Hahn

Cost: $18.75
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hahn Family Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

For those that like sweet Pinots

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sweet cranberry, dark chocolate Maraschino cherry and Christmas cake. Full body with light tannins, average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now on its own or pair it with Roasted Turkey with Apple-Onion stuffing.

Tasted: 12 Nov 2015

Score: 5/10, Value: 5/10 Total: 10/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO: 226555

CHÂTEAU DE MONTGUÉRET CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT NV, Traditional Method, Loire, France

12 Thursday Nov 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cremant

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Loire
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Montguéret
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, well balanced & simply delicious. This should please a wide range of taste buds.

Description: Pale straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This sparkling wine features lightly buttered toasted brioche, yeast, lemon/lime, pink grapefruit, green apple, McIntosh apple, pear, lemon grass 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 Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict with Dill Hollandaise.

Tasted: 8 Nov 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 217760