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

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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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

BANSHEE TEN CUPS BRUT NV, Méthode Champenoise, California, United States of America

01 Sunday Oct 2023

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $32.95 (Clearance Price: $27.25)
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Banshee
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Traditional Champagne grapes used in Méthode Champenoise style gives elegance, balance & lighter style than Champagne. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, low to medium intensity nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light brioche, lemon, peach, pear, green apples, dill, ginger, roasted almonds, oak spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: Two months in neutral French oak barrels with no malolactic fermentation. Secondary fermentation occurred in bottle. Aged on the lees for 24 months then disgorged.

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: 31536

RAPAURA SPRINGS RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2021, Marlborough, New Zealand

29 Friday Sep 2023

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

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rapaura Springs
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Expressive, elegant & complex Chard that will please those that like their Chards oaked or unoaked. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, low to medium intensity nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, green apples, white cranberry, clementines, dill, ginger, roasted almonds, oak spice & flint.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Very surprised that the colour is not on the golden spectrum considering the alcohol and that it has oak influence.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 28, 2023

LCBO: 19761

HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE BACO NOIR 2020, VQA Ontario, Canada

25 Monday Sep 2023

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently, Canada’s best Baco Noir is Henry of Pelham’s reserve. Score: 93/100

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features: cedar, smoky embers, Gaeta olives, bacon, prunes, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, black currants, blueberry, chocolate, Portobello mushrooms & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using a Pinot glass and lightly chill it to bring out the fruit flavours.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with a melody of olives in olive oil.

Top Pick

Tested: September 21, 2023

KEW VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY CUVÉE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Sep 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kew Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant, classically style & all at a great price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, pear, green apples, lemon meringue, dill, oak spice & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon & chives.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: September 17, 2023

LCBO: 28978