13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2021, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

11 Tuesday Jun 2024

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Pinot Noirs from Ontario showing traditional Burgundian style with elegance, a delicate taste but full of flavour. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, red currants, Champagne mushrooms, Chinese 5 spices, vanilla and peat moss on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Sourced from our own Whitty Vineyard in Creek Shores. After harvest in early October, the grapes were crushed and destemmed before being transferred to open-top fermenters for approximately 30 days of alcoholic fermentation on the skins with regular pigeage to gently extract tannin and colour. Following fermentation, the wine was pressed off the skins and transferred to 1st, 2nd and 3rd use French barriques for 15 months of ageing. A selection of a few barrels went for more aging after racking in old 500-litre French oak. The wine was lightly fined and filtered before bottling in February 2022.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with roasted duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 10, 2024

ASLINA CHARDONNAY 2021, South Africa

08 Saturday Jun 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $18.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ntsiki Biyela
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced, crisp, good acidity, tropical notes & subtle oak. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, honeydew melon, clementine, ginger, dill, honey & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Aslina is the name of Ntsiki’s grandmother.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with snow crabs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: June 6, 2024

LCBO: 00033300

ROMBAUER CHARDONNAY 2022, Carneros, California, United States of America

25 Saturday May 2024

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $69.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rombauer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Rombauer successfully made my favourite Chard even better by having a better balance of acidity, oak, fruit & spiciness. Score: 99/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, mango, peach, pear, honeydew melon, nectarine, clementine, ginger, dill, vanilla bean, chamomile, buttered egg bread & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: 9 months in American and French oak barrels (30% new)

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermador.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 22, 2024

LCBO: 441089

CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL CHARDONNAY 2021, Washington, United States of America

05 Sunday May 2024

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Cost: $20.95 (Clearance Price: $16.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Washington
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Christopher Michael
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Medium body, lightly oaked Chard that shows a lot of flavour. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, kumquat, pear, peach, tangerine, honeydew melon, ginger, oak spice

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Kumquat Chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 4, 2024

LCBO: 32826

DOMAINE DE CAROBELLE 2021, AOP Vacqueyras, Côte du Rhône

24 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $27.95 (Clearance Price: $23.25 & $18.65 if you can get find it.)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Mouvèdre, Cinsault)
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vaqueyras, Côtes du Rhône
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine de Carobelle
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made showing bright fruits & spice. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blueberry, mulberry, strawberry jam, black & white pepper, and Champagne mushrooms & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Made with organic grapes.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 15, 2024

LCBO: 31966

HENRY OF PELHAM THREE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

15 Monday Apr 2024

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale Price until April 28, 2024: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham Estate
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Canadian Chard under $20. Excellent balance between oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, quince, dill, ginger, oak spice, vanilla, roasted almonds & jasmine on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I reviewed 2019 vintage, and was not too crazy about it, and it was selling for $21.95. Now, now only is it $2 less, but the quality is exceptional.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 11, 2024

LCBO: 268342

DECOY MERLOT 2021, California, United States of America

06 Saturday Apr 2024

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $27.80)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Decoy
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A touch sweet, which is typical for a Cali Merlot, but it’s not jammy or thick with above 14.5% alcohol. Lots of expression in fruit & spice. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, raspberries, tamarind, kirsch, Allspice, anise, cinnamon, sage & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 28, 2024

LCBO: 460642

JOEL GOTT BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2021, California, United States of America

24 Sunday Mar 2024

Posted by in Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance Price: $24.75)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Joel Gott
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Styled in the traditional Napa Valley Chard but keeping the alcohol below 14.4% alcohol & nicely balanced between the oak & fruit. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, kumquat, ginger, baking spice, dill & honeysuckle.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “After harvest, the fruit was fermented in 50% new French oak barrels and 50% one & two-year-old French oak barrels for 6–8 months to add complexity to the wine.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermador.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at the Clearance Price

Tasted: March 22, 2024

LCBO: 32886

CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ GIERSBERGER BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE, NV, AC Alsace, France

18 Monday Mar 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $16.00)
Grape: 80% Pinot Blanc, 20% Auxerrois
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cave de Ribeauville
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Bone dry on the taste with citric fruit & minerality. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, high acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, brioche, green & yellow apples, pear, orange, limestone & acacia on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “The grapes are exclusively harvested by hand. This Crémant is produced in the purest respect of the traditional method with a second fermentation in the bottle, followed by aging for a minimum of 12 months on slats. A dosage of 8.5g/l during disgorging gives it its raw character.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it for Sunday Brunch.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 17, 2024

LCBO: 183624

COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE 2022, IG Alentejano, Portugal

16 Saturday Mar 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Aragonex & Trincadeira
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Arrailos, Alentejano
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ravasqueira
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Excellent value wine with depth & flavour. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, blackberry, cassis, anise, leather, tobacco leaves, fig & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Aged in oak barrels for 8 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with Espetada.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 15, 2024

LCBO: 11152