MAGNOTTA GRAN RISERVA MERITAGE 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday May 2015

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

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Magnotta Meritage

Cost: $29.20 (Sale $19.20 May 8-17, 2015)
Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Wines
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Extremely pleasant & an elegant wine to bring to a dinner party

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, dark cherry, cassis, turmeric, Allspice, oregano and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I have tried the 2010 vintage at Magnotta tastings many times and I wasn’t too impressed as it felt light in taste especially compared to the 2009, which I really liked and reviewed on my site. However, at the sales price, I said what the heck, and was pleasantly surprised when I used the proper wine glass and slightly chilled.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pork Tenderloin with a cassis and soy sauce reduction.

Tasted: 8 May 2015

Best Buy at sale price

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sales price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ARROWOOD CHARDONNAY 2012, Sonoma County, California, United States

09 Saturday May 2015

Posted by in White Wines

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2013-sonoma-chardonnay

Cost: $26.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arrowood
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is simply a nice wine, well balanced and will please a broad spectrum of tastes

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium to light toasted oak, lemon, peach, nectarine, green and yellow apples, buttered croissant and butterscotch. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Slightly on the watery side

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Moroccan spiced chicken.

Tasted: 4 May 2015 (May the Force be with you)

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

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

LCBO: 270694

GRANGE OF PRINCE EDWARD SPARKLING RIESLING LIMITED PRODUCTION, CHARMAT METHOD 2013, Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

03 Sunday May 2015

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Grange

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16)
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grange of Prince Edward
Alcohol: 11.7% Alcohol/Vol.

An interesting sparkling wine, worth the try at the clearance price

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and medium to light mouse. This wine features a very nice aromatic nose but a slightly bitter finish. White peach, apricot, lemon-lime, peach pit, pink grapefruit, lychee and limestone. Medium to light body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A bit bitter on the finish.

Interesting Note: All of Grange of Prince Edward wines are 100% estate grown. This sparkling is topped with a bottle cap.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with sweet and sour fish with lychee.

Tasted: 3 May 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 392746

E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNES ROSÉ 2014, Ac Côtes Du Rhône, France

03 Sunday May 2015

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Guigal 2014

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah & Mourvèdre
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A very nice Rosé from the venerable E. Guigal

Description: Pale salmon pink in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lilacs on the nose, strawberry, cherry, watermelon and pink grapefruit on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although I thoroughly enjoyed this wine, not as good as the 2013 reviewed by me and it’s a dollar more.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with pan seared veal loin chops with rosemary

Tasted: 1 May 2015

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

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

LCBO: 225003

HEDGES FAMILY ESTATE RED 2011, Red Mountain, Washington State, United States

28 Tuesday Apr 2015

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Hedges

Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 16% Syrah, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Red Mountain, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hedges Family Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High-end wine at half the price that’s elegant and delicious

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features oak, blackberry, dark cherry, black currants, raspberry, turmeric, cinnamon, anise, cassis, dry herbs, espresso and leather. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Still young but drinking well now. If you can, buy several and cellar them.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with pan seared butter-basted rib eye steak.

Tasted: 27 April 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: 1594

MEERLUST PINOT NOIR 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

23 Thursday Apr 2015

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Meerlust

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Meerlust Estate
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking savoury Pinot that should please a wide range of taste buds

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lightly smoked oak, bramble, strawberry, sour cherry, forest greens and a touch of spearmint. Medium to light body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14%

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Pork cutlets served with strawberry balsamic sauce.

Tasted: 22 April 2015

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

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

LCBO: 377226

HENRY OF PELHAM CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Short Hills Bench, Ontario, Canada

23 Thursday Apr 2015

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Henry Of Pelham

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Cool climate chard that’s a touch too oaky

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak spice, lime, sour orange, green apples, lemon rind and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A touch too sour on the finish

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Kimchi with braised short ribs

Tasted: 23 April 2015

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

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

LCBO: 268342

MICHEL HAURY GRENACH PETITE EDITION 2013, Vin de France

22 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Grenache

Cost: $12.20
Grape Variety: Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Southern France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Michel Haury
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Well isn’t this a pleasant surprise for a French table wine for under $13 & 100% Grenache. It’s delicate, easy drinking yet brimming with flavour

Description: Medium light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to low intense nose. What the nose doesn’t show, the taste certainly does. This wine features cherry, strawberry, cinnamon, pomegranate, orange peel, cloves and some leather on the finish. Medium to light body and tannins with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Works best in a smaller wine glasses such as Chianti or Zinfandel, and have it cellar temperature or even slightly below.

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with nachos supreme

Tasted: 18 April 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 361709

MAURO CHARDONNAY 2014, DOC Puglia, Italy

17 Friday Apr 2015

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Mauro

Cost: $11.70
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mare Magnium
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Good entry level Chard with minimum oak and good fruit all for under $12

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features apple, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pear and lemon on the finish. Medium body with average acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My preference was to use the larger Chardonnay style glass

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Prosciutto and Pear Pizza.

Tasted: 16 April 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: 404491

BRIDLEWOOD PINOT NOIR 2012, Monterey County, California, United States

11 Saturday Apr 2015

Posted by in Red Wines

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Pinot

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bridlewood Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a typical varietal or regional character & this will appeal to those that like the sweeter red style wines

Description: Light ruby with garnet overtones in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked-caramelized oak, maraschino cherry, cinnamon, vanilla and bramble pie. Full body with low tannins and acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Too sweet for me and the 14% alcohol is noticeable

Drink now on its own or pair it with Chinese BBQ Ribs

Tasted: 10 April 2015

Score: 7/10, Value: 6/10 Total: 13/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5+

LCBO: 361824