DELAFORCE QUINTA D CORTE VINTAGE PORT 1995, Doc Douro, Portugal

12 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by in Fortified & Desert Wine

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Port

Cost: $39.95
Grape Variety: Port Blend
Category: Fortified wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Delaforce
Alcohol: 20.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Good value for vintage Port that is almost 20yrs old

Description: Dark amber to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features a beautiful nose full of dates, figs, barley sugar, coffee beans and peat moss. Unfortunately, the taste falls well short  predominantly figs, prunes and barley sugar. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: The heat from the 20.5% alcohol overwhelms the taste.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with dark chocolate.

Tasted: 6 Aug 2014

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

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

LCBO: 180836

LIBERTY SCHOOL CHARDONNAY 2012, Central Coast, California

08 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by in White Wines

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Liberty

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: California
Region: Central Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hope Family Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A smooth, simple Chard that’s not bad, just wish it was a few dollars less

Description: Bright medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon rind, pineapple, young mango, green and red apples. Medium+ body with fairly good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: For a dollar more you get a better Chard from Napa at Beringer’s

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with crab Alfredo.

Tasted: 6 Aug 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 960120

OLDENBURG CHARDONNAY 2011, Stellenbosch, South Africa

08 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by in White Wines

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Oldenburg

Cost: $22.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oldenburg
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

At first taste there was no fruit just Oak spice, but after 30 min it just opened up to a good Chard

Description: Bright light to medium gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, oak spice, lemon tart, pineapple, dill, green apples, peach, ginger, dill and a hint of caramel. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Needs to decant  for 30 min to bring out the fruit. Both the cool climate and Montrachet style glassware work, just both very different.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Tai Pai Chicken.

Tasted: 6 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: 374645

LOAN WINES SPECIAL RESERVE SEMILLON 2005, Barossa Valley, Australia

08 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Semillon

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety: Semillon
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tanuda Creek
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A good alternative to a Chard, but it will only please the discerning

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This unoaked wine features bees wax, tangerine, orange rind, lemon tart, golden apple and grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity and a very long length (The flavour was still in my mouth after 5 min).

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: Found it was best in the Viognier glassware.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with conch ceviche.

Tasted: 7 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 301127

MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF RIOJA 2012, Doc, Rioja, Spain

07 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Montebuena

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Montebuena
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

The nose won’t please a lot, but the taste will

Description: Deep ruby to purple in colour with a medium intense nose. The wine shows smoked spiced oak, bitter cherry, bramble fruit, licorice, umami and Portobello mushrooms. Medium body with low but dry tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My mom really liked it (Insert shocked face)

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 31 July 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: 211029

DON JACOBO ROSÉ 2013, DOCa Rioja, Spain

07 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Don Jacobo

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo and Garnacha
Category: Rosé wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Don Jacobo
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of juicy flavour

Description: Bright salmon colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, raspberry, plum and apples. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Using the Tempranillo glassware makes this wine even smoother

Drink now or in the next year on its own or and pair it with pork skewers.

Tasted: 1 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 374850

CHATEAU RAHOUL GRAVES 2010, Ac Graves, France

07 Thursday Aug 2014

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

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Chateau Rahoul

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: 70% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Rahoul
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth as silk

Description: Deep almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, blackberry, black tea, licorice, cinnamon, umami, tobacco leaf, and oregano. Medium+ body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat on the finish from the 14% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 30 July 2014

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 226043

MAX RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, Valle de Aconcagua, Chile

06 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale $15.95 until 17 Aug 2014)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Valle de Aconcagua
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Errazuriz
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

“Danger Will Robinson!” So smooth & delicious that’s it’s easy to drink 2 bottles

Description: Medium+ ruby with a hint of garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine for under $20 wine features cedar, violets, black and red currants, cherry, blueberry, plum, cassis, turmeric, mocha, light graphite and leather. Medium+ body with smooth tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Always a solid wine for under $20, but this is the best vintage that I have tried to date.

Drink now or in the next 5 year on its own or pair it with oxtail stew.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 335174

CLOS DU BOIS MARLSTONE 2010, Alexander Valley, California, United States

30 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Marlstone

Cost: $49.95
Grape Variety: 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Clos Du Bois
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid well balanced California Bordeaux style wine

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, dark cherry, eucalyptus, blackcurrant, licorice, anise, cassis, plums, cocoa, dates, leather, arugula and tobacco leaf. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: I confess I bought the wine because I liked the sophisticated label. Looked expensive and at $24.95, I figured why not. Yes, the store had confused the lesser Clos Du Bois Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon that was priced at $24.95 with the Marlstone. Their loss my gain. Decanting for 30 min will smooth the wine out.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with Bison.

Tasted: 22 July 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 955104

CHATEAU POUYANNE GRAVES TRADITION 2009, AC Graves, France

30 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Chateau Pouyanne

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Bordeaux Blend
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Pouyanne
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple Bordeaux wine that reminds me of a Nouveau Beaujolai

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features bubble gum and bandaid on the nose sweet cherry and blackberry. Medium body with average acidity and length.

Negatives: A little volatile and watery

Drink now on its own or and pair it with steak and cheese sandwich.

Tasted: 29 July 2014

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO: 349332