TORRE ZAMBA INCASTRO BIANCO 2022, IGT Terre Di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy

19 Sunday Nov 2023

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance Price: $14.50)
Grape: 50% Pecorino, 30% Passerina & 20% Trebbiano
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Terre Di Chieti, Abruzzo
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Torre Zambra
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, crisp & expressive food friendly wine. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Passion fruit, lemon, orange pith, green apple, pear, white cherry & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic & Vegan wine

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Chili Lime Trout

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 18, 2023

LCBO: 28121

CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC 2020, AOP Médoc, Bordeaux, France

17 Friday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $17.50)
Grape: Right Bordeaux Red Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mêdoc, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Pierre de Montignac
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerful, yet balanced Médoc at half the price of its AOC cousins. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, dried cranberry, plum, cassis, anise, turmeric, pencil shavings, cocoa & granite.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Let the wine breath for about an hour or decant to smooth out the tannin.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 16, 2023

LCBO: 437954

ANGELS & COWBOYS BRUT SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, California, United States of America

15 Wednesday Nov 2023

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Cost: $33.95 (Clearance Price: $27.20)
Grape: 56% Pinot Noir & 44 % Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Angels & Cowboys
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, dry with some complexity. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, buttered toast, green apples, pear, lemon & hazelnut.

Negatives: None

Wine Makers Note: “Wine completes 16-month en tirage (aging on the lees),
a traditional dosage of liqueur dʼexpedition is added for balance
and complexity. The base wine blend contains 24% reserve wines
(from a perpetual reserve).”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Oysters Rockefeller

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: November 12, 2023

LCBO: 32075

DONATIEN BAHUAUD LES GRANDS MORTIERS VOUVRAY 2021, AOP Vouvray, France

11 Saturday Nov 2023

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $17.60)
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vouray
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Donatien Bahuaud
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, refined and complex. Off dry but finishes with nice minerality. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yellow Pitaya, lemon rind, peach, apples, pear, dried apricot, thyme, honeycomb & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with spicy fish tacos

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 8, 2023

LCBO: 140889

MCBRIDE SISTERS COLLECTION RED BLEND 2019, Central Coast, California, United States of America

08 Wednesday Nov 2023

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $15.50)
Grape: Red Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Central Coast, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: McBride Sisters
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

This will please those that like Cali red which has some substance & yet not overtly priced. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Blueberry pie, cherry, bramble fruit, plum, ripe tamarinds, mocha, orange chocolate, white pepper, tarragon, turmeric & fresh cut carnations on the nose.

Negatives: Some heat from the listed 13.9% alcohol

Interesting Note:

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: November 7, 2023

LCBO: 30699

FAUSTINO BRUT CAVA NV, Méthodo Tradicional, Cava, Spain

05 Sunday Nov 2023

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance Price: $14.40)
Grape: Macabeo and Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Faustino
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made Cava with substance & elegance. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, fine mouse, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Light brioche, lemon, dried apricot, MacIntosh apples, pear, peach & honeycomb.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Minimum 18 months ageing sur latte.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with poached eggs on a bed of grape tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the clearance price

Tasted: November 5, 2023

LCBO: 29948

VILLA CONCHI BRUT ROSÉ CAVA, NV, Traditional Method, DO Cava, Spain

29 Sunday Oct 2023

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance Price: $13.60)
Grape: Trepat
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Villa Conchi
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but nice palate cleaner to start the meal. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, fine mouse, low to medium intensity nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, strawberry & cranberry.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with braised pork belly.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 29, 2023

LCBO: 632265

DOUGH CHARDONNAY 2020, North Coast, California, United States of America

28 Saturday Oct 2023

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: North Coast, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Dough Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice lean Cali Chard that keeps the alcohol in check & brings up nice tropical notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue pie, pineapple, tangerine, lime, Fuji apple, baking spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Dough offers two needs-based $2,500 scholarships to students of George Brown College’s hospitality and culinary arts programs.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 27, 2023

LCBO: 25598

CABRAL RESERVA 2020, DOC Douro, Portugal

24 Tuesday Oct 2023

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

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Viosinho, Arinto, Rabigato & gouveiro
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vallegre – Cabral
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Taste profile: It’s a combination of Sancerre, Viognier & Chenin Blanc. Great price especially for the quality. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: White peach, yellow pitahaya (yellow Dragon Fruit), pear, kiwi, apricot, white pepper & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: October 23, 2023

LCBO: 35446

MUD HOUSE PINOT NOIR 2020, Central Otago, New Zealand

03 Tuesday Oct 2023

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mud House
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant Pinot with bright juicy fruit flavours & spiciness. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, bramble fruit, pomegranate, Allspice, dry thyme, Champagne mushrooms,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Farralon Salad

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 1, 2023

LCBO: 12630