LE CLOS JORDANNE VILLAGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Sep 2014

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Clos Jordanne

Cost: $30.00 (Clearance: $20.85)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Clos Jordanne
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the smoothest Chards I’ve tried. This may even please those that are ABCers

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. The wine features oak that’s well integrated, light toast, lemon, pineapple, green apples, peach, limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Works with both Montrachet and Chablis style stemware

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Gouda cheese

Tasted: 10 Sept 2014

Best Buy at clearance price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 33936

MAGNOTTA CRACKLING GAMAY ROSÉ NV, Charmat Method, VQA, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Sep 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Magnotta Gamay

Cost: $10.15 (Sale price September 2014: $8.15)
Grape Variety: Gamay Noir
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 11.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An off dry spritzer that’s a really nice wine to bring to a party

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a low intense nose and creamy mousse. The simple but flavourful wine features strawberry and cherry. Medium+ body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Cayman Style Ceviche (Fresh Snapper, Vinegar, Lime Juice, Tomato, Red Onion, Cilantro & Scotch Bonnet)

Tasted: 11 Sept 2014

Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE DRY GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2010, VQA, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Sep 2014

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Magnotta Gewurtz

Cost: $14.15 (Sale price September 2014: $12.15)
Grape Variety: Gewürztraminer
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An impressive Gewürz from Niagara Peninsula

Description: Deep gold in colour with a highly intense nose. The wine features lychee, granny smith apples and lemon meringue pie. Full body with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Gary Parker’s Pad Thai

Tasted: 8 Sept 2014

Best Buy (Amazing Buy at the sale price)

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

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

MAGNOTTA EQUIUS SERIES GAMAY NOIR 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

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Magnotta Gamay Noir

Cost: $10.15 ($9.15 on sale for September 2014)
Grape Variety: Gamay
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beaujolais Nouveau? Bah humbug. Try this Gamay, you won’t regret it

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This may not be a complex wine, but it full flavoured. The wine features cherry, rhubarb, smoked wood and a mild bubble gum finish. Medium to light body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill it like a Pinot to 15 degrees

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with roast beef in cherry balsamic sauce.

Tasted: 6 Sept 2014

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

MAGNOTTA’S MERLOT 2011, Chile

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

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

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Magnotta Chile Merlot

Cost: $8.95 ($7.97 on sale for September 2014)
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive wine for under $9, and even more so when it’s on sale. Smooth, juicy, full flavoured with dark fruits

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, licorice, star anise and eucalyptus. Medium+ body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 13.5% alcohol, which makes me thinks its more

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops

Tasted: 5 Sept 2014

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

DOMAINE FOUASSIER LES GRANDS GROUX SANCERRE 2009, Ac Sancerre, France

07 Sunday Sep 2014

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Domain Fouassier

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Sancerre
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Fouassier
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

This may just be this bottle but the wine was not a typical Sancerre and had too much orange fermentation going on

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features orange rind, fermented orange, dried apricots and capsicum. Medium+ body with average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Maybe past its prime

Drink now on its own or pair it with mussels in a white wine butter garlic sauce

Tasted: 31 Aug 2014

Score: 8+/10, Value: 8+/10 Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO: 267948

DR. LOOSEN RIESLING SEKT NV, Charmat Method, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

07 Sunday Sep 2014

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Dr Loosen Sparkling

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Germany
Region: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Loosen Brothers
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but flavourful off dry & easy drinking sparkling that’s nice to drink

Description: Gold in colour with a medium intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features peach, lime, honeydew melon and Kiwi. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: This year’s version is so much better than last years.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with caviar topped poached eggs on a bed of wilted greens.

Tasted: 31 Aug 2014 (Happy Birthday to my friend Dave whom I’ve known for 44 yrs)

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

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

LCBO: 296095

J. LOHR RIVERSTONE CHARDONNAY 2013, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California, United States

31 Sunday Aug 2014

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J.Lohr Chard

Cost: $18.95 (On sale $17.95 until 14 Sept 14)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: J. Lohr Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nothing complex, just easy drinking and pleasant Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, buttered popcorn, mango, pineapple and Kiwi fruit. Full body with average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Gouda cheese.

Tasted: 27 Aug 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 258699

TESSELLAE OLD VINES 2012, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon, France

24 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Tessellae

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tessellae
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, smooth & easy drinking wine with lots of flavours

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium Cherry, mulberry, blueberry, lavender, black and white peppers, Kirsch liqueur and mesquite. Medium to medium+ body, light tannins with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: The Grenache grapes were sourced from 60 year old vines while the Syrah and Mourvedre came from 20 year old vines.

Drink now or in the next 2 year on its own or pair it with beef tenderloin with cherry black pepper sauce.

Tasted: 23 Aug 2014

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

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

LCBO: 343517

CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2008, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

24 Sunday Aug 2014

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

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Closson Chase

Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Closson Chase Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Closson Chase
Alcohol: 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

I throw down a challenge to find any Californian high end Chard that is as good as this and with only 12.6% alcohol and under $35

Description: Old gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, butter, crème brulee, toasted marshmallows, lemon tart, tangerines, pink grapefruit, dill, ginger, roasted almonds, Anjou pear and apple crumble pie. Full body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: The wine is on its last leg as it’s gone from fruity and mineral to tertiary notes, but still so good.

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with grilled maple ginger pork chops.

Tasted: 22 Aug 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5