MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Friday Aug 2015

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Magnotta Pinot

Cost: $20.05
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, funky & earthy styled Pinot. One of the best Canadian Pinot’s for $20 & under

Description: Medium minus garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features a barnyard nose in addition to aromas and flavours of pine, violets, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, licorice, forest earth and smoked charcoal. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I wasn’t impressed with this wine at the winery tasting, but figured that may be due to the small tasting glass and the wine being at room temperature. I figured right as in a proper glass and slightly chilled, this Pinot is beautiful.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Venison with rosemary.

Tasted: 11 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

GÉRARD BERTRAND LANGUEDOC SYRAH/GRENACHE 2011, Ac Languedoc, France

08 Saturday Aug 2015

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Gerard

Cost: $17.00
Grape: Syrah & Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gérard Bertrand
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Thin but juicy, & at a reasonable price

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features plums, dark cherry, raspberry, white and black peppers and dry herbs. Medium body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None, however this wine does not live up to Wine Spectator’s score of 90.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Lamb Chops served with Pomegranate-Pistachio Couscous.

Tasted: 6 Aug 2015

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

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

LCBO: 413237

MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY 2012, California, United States

02 Sunday Aug 2015

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l_calchard11

Cost: $9.15 (Sale $8.15 Until 3 Aug 2015)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Winery
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Here’s an inexpensive California Chard that has substance, not oaked & with a beautiful nose

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features jasmine on the nose, grapefruit, pear, green apple and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 1 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

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

RAVINE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Sunday Aug 2015

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

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Cabernet-Franc-300x448

Cost: $35.00
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ravine Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Ontario Cab Franc for a moderate price

Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, dark and sour cherry, plum, ripe red currants, raspberry, blueberry, Allspice, rosemary, tobacco leaves, white peppers, roasted red peppers and forest greens. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established winery making sparkling wine since 1877. Nice bottle to impress dinner guest.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Mushroom and Rosemary Risotto.

Tasted: 31 July 2015

Top Pick

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

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

LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’AURORE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE, AC Châlonnais and Mâconnais, France

27 Monday Jul 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Louis

Cost: $19.95
Grape: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Châlonnais, Mâconnais
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Bouillot
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex yet elegant & easy drinking sparkling wine

Description: Light pink in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, raspberry, strawberry, cherry and Macintosh apple. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established winery making sparkling wine since 1877. Nice bottle to impress dinner quest.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Risotto with sun dried tomatoes and shaved parmesan.

Tasted: 26 July 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 48793

SANTA RITA RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2012, DO Rapel Valley, Chile

27 Monday Jul 2015

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Santa Rita

Cost: $13.95 (Sale: $12.45 until Aug 16, 2105)
Grape: Carmenère
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Rapel Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Santa Rita
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a powerful Carmenère, just right & a delicious, juicy wine for under $14

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light cedar, plum, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, nectarine, licorice, soy sauce, Allspice, peppers and oregano. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Peruvian coriander herb crusted rack of lamb.

Tasted: 24 July 2015

Amazing Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10 (sale price: 10/10), Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 177774

PRIMARIUS PINOT NOIR 2012, Oregon, United States

27 Monday Jul 2015

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Primarius

Cost: $25.95 (Clearance: $20.80)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Primarius Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

More Gamay-like than Pinot, but still a half decent wine

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, raspberry, cherry, cranberry, tamarind, rose petals, and a light smoky finish. Light to medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Herb, Garlic and Bacon Pork Loin.

Tasted: 25 July 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: 402180

CREEKSIDE ESTATE LAURA’S BLEND 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Saturday Jul 2015

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Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah, 2% Malbec & 1% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Creekside Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Ontario wine for under $20

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. A fairly complex wine featuring cedar, black & red currants, black raspberry, cloves, cinnamon, dried herbs, mint, cassis, smoked Montreal meat, black pepper, leather and tomato leaves. Medium body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This shows the world that Ontario red wines can be of good quality at a reasonable price.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops in Moroccan BBQ Sauce.

Tasted: 18 July 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: 117960

MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES ZINFANDEL NV, California, United States

25 Saturday Jul 2015

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Magnotta Zin

Cost: $10.15
Grape Variety: 75% Zinfandel, 25% other red blends
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Well, this is impressive for $10!

Description: Medium bright ruby in colour with an intense perfume nose. This wine features violets, fresh carnations, lavender, ripe tamarind, plums, raisins, cloves, red and black raspberries, dark cherry and red currants. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting note: Don’t think I’ve had a quality Zin for $10 until now, plus only 13.5% alcohol? Double impressive!

Drink now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with sweet and spicy baby back ribs.

Tasted: 17 July 2015

Amazing Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

No. 99 WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Friday Jul 2015

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Wayne Gretzky

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wayne Gretzky
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

The right glassware is key to enjoying this wine

Description: Medium to light bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. Not a complex wine but what it does have is full flavour that features hints of lemon, Golden Delicious apples, pineapple and kiwi. Full body with average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried this wine in warm climate style Chard glass, and all though it had flavour it was flat, lacking acidity. In the cooler style glass the acid was better making this wine very pleasant, and why it’s a Best Buy.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with grilled calamari with tomato citrus salad.

Tasted: 16 July 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: 63826