OSTATU RESERVA 2008, DOC Rioja, Spain

05 Thursday Nov 2015

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

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Ostatu

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $24.00)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Ostatu
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, well balanced & simply delicious

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, blueberry, dried cherry, plum, orange zest, cola, cigar box, sage, rosemary, curried meats, Allspice and white pepper. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sourced from 50 year old vines, and aged in French oak for 16 months.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Sausage and Sage Lasagna.

Tasted: 30 Oct 2015

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 379909

BERINGER CHARDONNAY 2013, Napa Valley, California, United States

05 Thursday Nov 2015

Posted by in White Wines

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Beringer

Cost: $22.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, full body Chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, Lily of the Valley, lemon tart, clementine, peaches & cream corn, peach, oak spice and caramel coated apple. Full body with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Scallops drizzled with white wine garlic cream sauce.

Tasted: 28 Oct 2015

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

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

LCBO: 84988

FOLIE À DEAUX CHARDONNAY 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

05 Thursday Nov 2015

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

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Folie

Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

My style of Chard; juicy, buttery, creamy, oaked, layered flavours, well balanced & under 14% alcohol

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, Easter Lily, lemon merengue pie, peach, golden and Spartan apples, honey, clove, ginger, dill, slate & peat smoke. Full 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 Butternut Squash Ravioli with Garlic Aioli.

Tasted: 27 Oct 2015

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 146951

CHURCH and STATE MERLOT 2011, VQA Okanagan Valley, Sun Ridge Vineyard, British Columbia, Canada

02 Monday Nov 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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church

Cost: $19.90
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location British Columbia
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, Sun Ridge Vineyard
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Church & State Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but it’s juicy, well-balanced & delicious

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, ripe tamarind and spinach. Medium+ body with some green tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Not in LCBO

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

Tasted: 29 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

DOMAINE HERVÉ AZO BEAUROY PREMIER CRU 2011, Ac Beauroy, Burgundy, France

25 Sunday Oct 2015

Posted by in White Wines

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Chablis

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bauroy, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Hervé Azo
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced Chablis

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lemon/lime, green apples, mandarin, grapefruit, ginger with a long chalky and limestone finish. 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 Court Bouillon-Poached Halibut.

Tasted: 23 Oct 2015

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

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

LCBO: 276451

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION SHIRAZ 2103, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Oct 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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l_leshiraz10

Cost: $18.15 (Sale price until 31 Oct 2015: $14.15)
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid well balanced Canadian Rhône style wine

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, violets, black & white peppers, plums, loganberry and sage. Medium+ body with soft tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Naming the wine Shiraz instead of Syrah

Interesting Points: I just loved the 2010 vintage (reviewed on this site) and the 2013 vintage, although still young, follows closely behind. Big difference is that this vintage maybe smoother than the 2010, but not as complex.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Fig Skewers.

Tasted: 22 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT RESERVA NV, Catalunya, Spain

20 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Segura

Cost: $14.95 (Sale until Oct 11, 2015: $13.45)
Grape Variety: Macabeau, Xarel-lo & Parellada
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Catalunya
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Segura Viudas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a fine sparkling wine for under $15

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to low intense nose and fine mousse. This sparkling wine featuring lemon, ginger, light yeast, green apple, cashews & nectarine. 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 with Chicken in Garlic Almond sauce.

Tasted: 11 October 2015: Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 216960

BEAUREVOIR TAVEL 2014, Ac Tavel, France

20 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by in Rosés

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Tavel

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Grenache
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Tavel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: M. Chapoutier
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique: Some will like it & some not so much

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features roses, strawberry, cherry, grenadine, apple pit and herbs de Provence. Medium body with some tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch bitter on the finish

Interesting Point: Using a Chianti/Zin/Riesling glass will bring out the full potential of this wine. Using the larger Sauvignon glass made this wine more watery.

Drink now on its own or in the next year on its own or pair it with Spicy Pumpkin Ratatouille.

Tasted: 8 Oct 2015

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

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

LCBO: 991331

RAYMOND FAMILY CLASSIC CHARDONNAY 2014, California, United States

19 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Raymond

Cost: $17.00 (On Sale until 8 Nov 2015: $14.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: St. Helena, Sonoma & Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Raymond Vineyard & Cellar
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Macon style California Chard at a great price

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lots of apple (Granny & Spartan), peach, vanilla, nutmeg and clove. Medium+ body with, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Boisset of Burgundy purchased Raymond vineyards in 2009 and began converting to biodynamic viniculture.

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or in the next year on its own or pair it with Shrimp Fettuccine in Cajun Alfredo Sauce.

Tasted: 18 Oct 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale Price: 9+/10) Total: 17.5+/20

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

LCBO: 269753

MEYER PINOT NOIR 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

19 Monday Oct 2015

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

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Meyer

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Strath Ale Wine & Spirits Merchants, Victoria, BC
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Meyer Family Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

This could pass for a $50 Burgundian Pinot, truly delicious

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features barnyard smells, pine, dark cherries, raspberry, rhubarb, pinenuts, beets, a touch of Christmas cake, forest moss and smoked ambers. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Surprisingly, there’s some heat from only 13% alcohol

Interesting Point: Lightly chill

Drink now on its own or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Balsamic Cherry and Thyme Glazed Duck Breast.

Tasted: 7 Oct 2015

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 392449 (2012 vintage presently at LCBO)