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

G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

12 Thursday Nov 2015

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G Marquis

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Ontario
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple elegant Chardonnay.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features lemon, green apples, pink grapefruit and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: More Chablis style than Meursault

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Poached Halibut.

Tasted: 5 Nov 2015

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

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

LCBO: 258681

VILLA CAFAGGIO CORTACCIO VENDEMMIA 2006, IGT Tuscany, Italy

12 Thursday Nov 2015

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Cortaccio

Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscani
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Cafaggio
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Old World style that’s smooth, delicious & a great price for an aged wine that’s available now

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features a mix of cedar and sandalwood, followed by dried cherry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, Portobello mushrooms, Christmas cake, cassis, cinnamon, sage, oregano, mocha, forest floor and damp moss. Full body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Interesting Point: An Atypical Tuscan Cab.  This wine is more like a Rioja Grand Reserva than a Tuscan Cab, but I still like it.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Slow Braised Lamb Shanks.

Tasted: 3 Nov 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 20966