ROBERT MONDAVI NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Napa Valley, California, United States

19 Monday Oct 2015

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Robert Mondavi

Cost: $34.95 (Sale until 11 Oct: $29.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Robert Mondavi Winery
Alcohol: 15% Alcohol/Vol.

Linear in tasting, but may evolve in time

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plums, mulberry, blackcurrants, cassis, licorice, turmeric, espresso, dried Provencal herbs, spinach and spearmint. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol on the finish

Interesting Point: Unusual high 15% alcohol for a Napa Cab, but lucky that it doesn’t show it on the taste

Drink on its own in the next 5 to 10 years on its own or pair it with Braised Pork Shanks with Peppers and Oregano.

Tasted: 6 Oct 2015

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price: 8.5+/10) Total: 17+/20

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

LCBO: 255513

THE MUSICIAN CABERNET SHIRAZ 2012, Coonawarra, Australia

04 Sunday Oct 2015

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Musician

Cost: $19.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Majella Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An Aussy Cab/Shiraz that’s not jammy, priced right & oh yes it’s good

Description: Deep garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, plums, cherry, eucalyptus, white pepper, roasted red peppers, turmeric, fresh cut carnations & Allspice. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol on the finish

Interesting Point: Using a Shiraz style wine glass smooths out the tannins versus the larger Cabernet Sauvignon glass

Drink now on its own or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Spicy BBQ Leg of Lamb with Rosemary Couscous.

Tasted: 2 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated 4

LCBO: 142018

GREG NORMAN ESTATES CABERNET MERLOT 2007, Limestone Coast, Australia

04 Sunday Oct 2015

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Greg Norman

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance: $20.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Limestone Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Greg Norman
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nicely aged and not jammy wine even with a 14.5% alcohol

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

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol on the finish

Interesting Point: 8 years and still going strong

Drink now on its own or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Venison with blueberries and shallots.

Tasted: 30 Sept 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: 552075

MAYOR DE CASTILLA CRIANZA 2012, DO Ribera Del Duero, Spain

04 Sunday Oct 2015

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Mayor

Cost: $12.15
Grape: Tinta del Pais Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Ribera Del Duero
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Señorio De Castilla
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Proper glass is key to enjoying this wine

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features some sandalwood, pomegranate, blueberry, red currants, oregano and tobacco leaf. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol on the finish and a little watery

Interesting Point: Using the smaller Tempranillo wine glass smooths out the tannins versus the larger Cabernet Sauvignon glass

Drink now on its own or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Hot & Smoky Vindaloo with Pork Belly.

Tasted: 1 Oct 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 318931

YALUMBA VIOGNIER 2013, Eden Valley, Australia

01 Thursday Oct 2015

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

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cq5dam.web.1280.1280

Cost: $24.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Eden Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vicenta Gandia
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, rich, elegant & so beautiful

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This complex wine features orange blossom, honeydew melon, orange, apricot, guava and white pepper. Medium+ body and with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Best non Condrieu Viognier I’ve had. Far superior in every sense than Yalumba’s Y Series Viognier (see my previous review).

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Honey Glazed BBQ Chicken with Crispy Sweet Potato Fries.

Tasted: 31 Aug 2015

Top Pick & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 954644

YALUMBA THE Y SERIES VIOGNIER 2014, South Australia, Australia

01 Thursday Oct 2015

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Yulumba

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: South Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yulumba
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A mid-weight, crisp, food friendly Viognier

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pink grapefruit, peach pit, honeysuckle, apricot and lychee. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Has a bit of a bitter finish, but not noticeable when paired with food

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques.

Tasted: 30 Aug 2015

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 624502

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE PINOT GRIS 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

01 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Pinot Gris

Cost: $12.10
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Pinot Gris with substance

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features green and red apples, lemon, grapefruit, guava and a hint of honey. Medium body and with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Alsace style

Drink now on its own or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Ginger Pork served with Kimchi.

Tasted: 22 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

01 Thursday Oct 2015

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Sauvignon Blanc

Cost: $14.10
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Canadian Sauvignon Blanc: Elegance, substance & taste

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features Jasmine, light gooseberry, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, lychee, tangerine and kiwi. Medium body and with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Alsace style

*In Support of…* Magnotta Winery is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this wine to the G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases to establish Canada’s first research centre for vector-borne illnesses including Lyme Disease.

Drink now on its own or in the next 5 years.  This wine can easily be paired with a vast variety of foods but when enjoyed with a simple item like green olives it elevates this wine to a silky complex experience on the palete.

Tasted: 22 Sept 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

HOYA DE CADENAS RESERVA TEMPRANILLO 2011, DO Protegida, Spain

01 Thursday Oct 2015

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Hoyas

Cost: $11.95 (Sale price until 13 Sept 2015: $10.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Protegida
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vicenta Gandia
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Tempranillo reserva for under $15

Description: Deep garnet with ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine has a beautiful nose and taste featuring sandalwood, tobacco cherry, plum, strawberry, nutmeg, dried figs, cinnamon and cloves. Medium+ body, medium tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Decant for 30min to an hour and it will be silky smooth

Interesting Point: “The Hoya de Cadenas Estate is an eco-paradise just 100 Km from the city of Valencia. The estate boasts over 200 hectares of the finest local and international vine varieties. Its situation on the slopes of the Sierra de la Bicuerca affords a particular micro-climate with temperature variations from day to night which give the grapes their own special characteristics and encourages the accumulation of highly valued polyphenols.” (From Hoya de Cadenas web site)

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with vegetarian Paella.

Tasted: 29 Aug 2015

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: Total: 18.5+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 620989

ASTORIA PROSECCO EXTRA DRY, DOC Veneto, Italy

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Astoria

Cost: $13.90
Grape: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Astoria
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured & you get a lot for the price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and medium fine mousse. This sparkling wine features orange blossoms, honeydew melon, green apples, peach, lemon, kiwi and light yeast. Medium to light body and with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with scallop ceviche.

Tasted: 16 Aug, 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 593855