MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES TRIONFO 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Friday Aug 2014

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

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Trionfo

Cost: $8.55 (On sale if you buy a case it comes out to $7.55/bottle)
Grape Variety: Baco Noir, Maréchal Foch, Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Well this is a really pleasant surprise. An easy drinking, vibrant, red fruit wine with no negatives and under $9!

Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features red currants, wild raspberry, mild Christmas cake, smoke ambers and dried herbs. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: – Chill the wine to 15 C and use a Pinot Noir glass
                         – I like the saying on the back label: ” I see the horse not just as a thing of beauty but also a soul mate” 

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Speck, Brie and Arugula pizza. (FYI Ragazzi at Grand Cayman makes the best)

Tasted: 20 Aug 2014

Amazing and Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA VIDAL CLASSIC 2013, Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Aug 2014

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

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Magnotta Vidal

Cost: $9.15
Grape Variety: Vidal
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 12.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A Spumante but with a bit more oomph

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a creamy mousse. This simple but flavorful wine features Anjou pears, Spy apples, orange and honeydew melon. Full body with good acidity and a good long length

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or add orange or peach juice.

Tasted: 18 Aug 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

CLOSSON CHASE S. KOCSIS VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2009, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada

20 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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closson_skocsis

Cost: $34.95 (Clearance $24.50)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Closson Chase
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A premium Ontario Chard that can compete with the best in California, but not have their price tag

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This intense, edgy and complex wine features medium toasted oak, butter, lemon custard, crème brûlée, peach, granny apple, toffee, apricot, dill, creamed corn, tea leaf and pink grapefruit. Full body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: Closson Chase is one of my favourite Ontario wineries that produce full body Chards. This wine worked well in both Montrachet style glassware as well as in the cooler climate one.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Fettuccine Alfredo with blackened chicken.

Tasted: 16 Aug 2014

Best Buy at clearance price

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance: 9.5+/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 184291

DOMAINE BOISONNET CONDRIEU 2011, Ac Condrieu, France

20 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by in White Wines

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Condrieu

Cost: $53.95 (Clearance price: $37.80)
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Condrieu
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Boissonnet
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

The nectar to the gods, and I need to give my standard warning: “Danger Will Robinson” easy to drink 2 to 3 bottles

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This smooth and silky wine features white peach, apricots, honeysuckle, honey, honeydew melon, mango, almonds and wet stone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: To quote from www.bestwinesonline.com “Condrieu. Not Viognier. Lets be clear. Though Condrieu is made from 100% Viognier, most Viogniers ARE NOT Condrieu. Sorry if that sounds high-falutin’ or snobby but it is true. There’s a reason why Viognier is Viognier but Condrieu is Condrieu… Condrieu is manly Viognier, grown by manly men in a manly place. It is not wimpy, it is not easy but it’s oh-so GOOD… Condrieu is gluggable. You can’t stop drinking it. I can’t stop drinking it. We often hold ourselves to just one. After two bottles we can start getting into trouble.” Oh so truly written.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Foie Gras

Tasted: 15 Aug 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

LCBO: 329664

MIRABELLE BRUT ROSÉ NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, California, United States

17 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by in Sparkling Wine

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Mirabelle

Cost: $38.95 (Clearance price $27.30)
Grape Variety: 58% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Schramsberg
Alcohol: 12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

At the clearance price it’s worth buying it

Description: Light copper in colour with medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. A simple sparkling wine featuring yeast, brioche, cherry, wild raspberry and lemongrass. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with sweet potato fries.

Tasted: 13 Aug 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10 (Clearance Price: 8.5+/10) Total: 16.5+/20

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

LCBO: 329813

THELEMA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009, Stellenbosch, South Africa

17 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Thelma

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance $23.20)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid Cab that will only get better with age and for under $30, but even better at the clearance price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, blueberry, blackberry, plums, dark cherry, turmeric, pencil shavings, tobacco leaves, eucalyptus and leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington

Tasted: 14 Aug 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 949305

E. GUIGAL CÔTE DU RHÔNE 2011, Ac Côtes Du Rhône, France

16 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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E. Guigal Rhone

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 5% Mouvèdre
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking quality Rhône wine for under $20

Description: Bright medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, blackberry, plum, white & black peppers, black olives, licorice, shitake mushrooms and smoked earth. Medium body with mild tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: E. Guigal consistently produces excellent wines from entry level to high end.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with steak sandwich from Vincentina Meats .

Tasted: 12 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 259721

MATCH BOOK OLD HEAD CHARDONNAY 2011, Dunnigan Hills, California, United States

16 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Matchbook

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jl Giguiere
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

If you like eating dill chips you’ll love this Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium to light toasted oak, lots of dill, Easter Lilly, lemon meringue pie, orange marmalade and peach. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: I love dill chips, so I really like this Chard.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with pan seared trout in butter and wine caper sauce.

Tasted: 12 Aug 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

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

LCBO: 205492

SACRED HILL PINOT NOIR 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand

16 Saturday Aug 2014

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Sacred Hill

Cost: $12.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sacred Hill
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Value to quality you can’t beat it for a good Pinot Noir

Description: Light garnet with a slight cloudiness in colour, which may be a result of the wine being unfiltered, with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light pine and smoke, fresh carnations, beets, wild strawberry, sweet cherry, plums, barnyard and mushrooms. Light body and tannins with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with .

Tasted: 12 Aug 2014

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 277665

ESTANCIA RESERVE BENCHMARK VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2009, Santa Lucia Highlands, California

12 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by in Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Estancia

Cost: $36.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Estancia
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Reminds me when I was a kid and eating candy apples at the EX

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, wild cherry, raspberry, nutmeg, cloves, and the nose is reminiscent of the smell of smoke from wood burning fireplaces on a crisp autumn night. Medium+ body with light tannins, good acidity, a long length and the high alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with grilled medium rare Wagyu striploin .

Tasted: 8 Aug 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 327049