FERRARI BRUT NV, Traditional Method, DOC Trento, Italy

11 Tuesday Feb 2014

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

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Ferrari

Cost: $25.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Trento, Italy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ferrari SPA
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

Simply delicious! A nice balance between Champagne and Prosecco

Positives: This sparkling wine features light yeast, lemon, clementine, apple blossom, green apple, pear & wet stone. Medium body and with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I was able to purchase this at the Brampton LCBO for $20.80

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Arugula, prosciutto & Brie Panini.

Tasted: 11 February 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 52153

SAINT CLAIR PIONEER BLOCK 10 CHARDONNAY 2010, Omaka Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

07 Friday Feb 2014

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

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Block

Cost: $25.95 (Clearance price: $20.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Omaka Valley, Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Saint Clair Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

This Chard could compete with wines double its price

Positives: This wine features medium toasted spicy oak, lemon, pineapple, peach, Northern Spy apple, ginger, caramelized sugar & roasted marshmallow. Full body and with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Single vineyard whose grapes were mostly handpicked.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Cornish hen.

Tasted: 7 February 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance Price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 317651

HILL SMITH ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2010, Eden Valley, Austalia

07 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Hill Chard

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $15.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Eden Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hill-Smith Estate
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A nice cool climate Chard from Aussy land that has the right balance of fruit, oak, alcohol and price

Positives: This wine features light oak, lemon-lime, honeydew melon, pear, green apple, & limestone. Medium minus body and with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Waldorf Salad.

Interesting Point: I like seeing an Aussy Chard fermented in oak, but have only 13% alcohol.

Tasted: 5 February 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 361584

LAWSON’S DRY HILLS PINOT NOIR 2010, Marlborough, New Zealand

04 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Lawson Pinot

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $19.75)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lawson’s Dry Hills
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.

So delightful, it’s easy to be on your 2nd bottle before realizing it

Positives: This wine features smoked cedar, cherry, cola, beets, raspberry, peat moss & violets. Medium minus body and tannins with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Ahi Tuna.

Interesting Point: Reminder to chill it to about 15C

Tasted: 4 February 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 34827

CHRISTIAN MOUEIX POMEROL 2009, AC Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

04 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Pomerol

Cost: $29.95 (on clearance for $22.75)
Grape Variety: Right Bank Bordeaux blend (Merlot dominated)
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pomerol
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Christian Moueix
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Nice to have quality Right Bank Bordeaux at a good price, especially at the clearance price!

Positives: A smooth & juicy wine that features integrated oak, cherry, raspberry, cola, plum, pencil shavings, leather & portabella mushrooms on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with rib-eye steak.

Tasted: 3 February 2014

Best Buy at clearance price

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (9.5/10 at clearance price) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 903013

TOUR SAINT-ANDRÉ 2010, AC Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

04 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Tour

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pomerol, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pascal Chatonnet
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

For those that like classic Right Bank Bordeaux this one will not disappoint at this price.

Positives: This wine features mild oak, cherry cola, red currants, mulberry, anise, dry herbs & leather. Medium+ body, dusty tannins with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little more heat than expected from the 14% alcohol.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with prime rib.

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour

Tasted: 31 January 2014

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

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

LCBO: 138677

PENINSULA RIDGE WINERY ARCANUM 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Sunday Jan 2014

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

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Arcanum

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Syrah, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Peninsula Ridge Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Autumn leaves burning on an open fire

Positives: This wine features cedar, cherry cola, raspberry, red currants, hickory, bacon, dark chocolate, espresso, grilled red peppers, arugula, prosciutto & purple lilacs on the nose. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with pizza topped with prosciutto and arugula.

Interesting Point: Reminds me of a good Baco Noir

Tasted: 17 January 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

DON JACOBO RESERVA 2004, DOC Rioja, Spain

26 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Don Jacob

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Don Jacobo
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A nice Tempranillo reserva for under $20

Positives: This wine features cedar, oak, sandalwood, cherry, leather, cigar box, strawberry & fresh spinach. Medium body & tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little too tart on the finish.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with pork fillet with sherry sauce.

Tasted: 17 January 2014

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

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

LCBO: 313270

BENI DI BATASIOLO BAROLO RISERVA 2004, DOCG Piedmont, Barolo, Italy

26 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Batasiolo

Cost: $42.59
Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Barolo, Piedmont
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beni Di Batasiolo
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby with garnet overtones in colour and a medium intense nose.

An expensive wine to pair with pizza, but oh so worth it.

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, sour cherry, thyme, oregano, anise, red currants, pomegranate, leather, dried cranberry, tobacco & blood orange on the finish. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with New York style pizza.

Interesting Point: Thanks to Roberto for recommending this

Tasted: 26 January 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MACMURRAY PINOT NOIR 2010, Russian River Valley/Sonoma County, California, United States

20 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Mac Murray

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley/Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: MacMurray Ranch
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.

A nice balance between new and old world Pinot

Positives: This wine features pine, rhubarb, cranberry, purple lilacs, strawberry, cherry, autumn leaves, smoldering ambers & forest underbrush. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with seared Ahi Tuna.

Tasted: 19 January 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 48207