KIRKLAND SIGNATURE SERIES, MOUNTAIN CUVÉE, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Napa Valley, California, United States

04 Saturday Jan 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

Cost: $18.99
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Costco, Florida
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kirkland
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This wine is reminiscent of Christmas potpourri

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, nutmeg, cinnamon, cherry, black currents, blackberry, mulberry, Darjeeling tea, mocha, espresso, Christmas cake, roasted raspberry almonds, graphite & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: You can feel the 14.9% alcohol

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

Tasted: 4 January 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CHANDON ROSÉ NV MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, California, United States

02 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $32.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Moët & Chandon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

A must buy if you go to Costco in Florida as it’s price is $12.99!

Positives: A fragrant sparkling that pairs well with a variety of foods. This sparkler features light yeast, strawberry, pink grapefruit, watermelon, cherry & roasted garlic on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Costco in Ontario doesn’t carry wine.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with bruschetta.

Interesting Point: Owned by the famed Champagne house; Moët & Chandon

Tasted: 2 January 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17+/20

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

LCBO: 56341

COLUMBIA CREST H3 CHARDONNAY 2009, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington St, University

01 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Horse Heaven Hills, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Crest
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A creamy full flavoured Chardonnay

Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak, wood smoke, lemon/lime, crème brulee, toffee, nutmeg, peanut brittle, vanilla & café con leche on the finish. Full body with average acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with turkey for Christmas.

Interesting Point: I bought this wine at Costco in Florida for $11.99, which I think is priced right.

Tasted: 1 January 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 287227

KIRKLAND SIGNATURE BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Champagne, France

01 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by Twilight Wines in Champagne, Non LCBO Wine

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Cost: $19.99 US
Grape Variety: 65% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location Bought: Costco, Florida
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kirkland
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright yello gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

Happy New Year 2014 with this $20 Champagne!

Positives: This true champagne from Kirkland features a lot of yeast, mild toastiness, tart orange, peach, lemon marmalade & toffee. Full body with fairly good acidity & average length.

Negatives: A little too yeasty, tart & one dimensional.

Drink now on its own or pair it with peach pie.

Tasted: 1 January 2014

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

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

FOUR HEARTS VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2010, Russian River Valley, California, United States

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by Twilight Wines in White Wines

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Cost: $49.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Four Hearts Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

As good as the 2009 was, the 2010 exceeds it. I don’t want to be too technical, but yummy, yummy & yummy!

Positives: This complex wine features medium+ toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, lemon meringue pie, ginger, roasted marshmallows, crème brûlée, walnuts, butterscotch, pineapple, orange, tangerines & limestone. Full body with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2010 has a minerality that the 2009 lacks. The wine is unfined & unfiltered.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with lobster for New Years Eve dinner.

Tasted: 27 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO: 95919

PEGASUS BAY PINOT NOIR 2007, Waipara Valley, New Zealand

27 Friday Dec 2013

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

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Cost: $47.95 (Clearance: $33.65)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Waipara Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Donaldson Family Ltd
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Reminds me of a cold crisp winter night with wood fireplaces burning their logs.

Positives: A nose that I can immerse myself in and the taste is not far behind. This wine features pine, crisp bacon, pomegranate, sour & dark cherry, violets, strawberry & a touch of earthiness. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with roasted pig.

Tasted: 26 Dec 2013

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 31294

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR RESERVE 2009, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95
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.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Consistently, Canada’s best Baco Noir is Henry of Pelham’s reserve

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, smoky embers, Gaeta olives, bacon, prunes, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, black currants, blueberry, chocolate, Portobello mushrooms & leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using a Pinot glass and lightly chill it.

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

Tasted: 22 Dec 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19/20

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

LCBO: 461699

FOUR HEARTS VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2009, Russian River Valley, California, United States

22 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by Twilight Wines in White Wines

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Not for the faint at “heart”. Sorry couldn’t resist. Big, heavy, bold & utterly delicious.

Positives: This complex wine features medium+ toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, lemon meringue pie, roasted marshmallows, crème brûlée, walnuts, butterscotch, pineapple, orange & tangerines. Full body with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The wine is unfined & unfiltered.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with turkey for Christmas.

Tasted: 21 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 95919

WILLIAM HILL CHARDONNAY 2011, Central Coast, California, United States

22 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by Twilight Wines in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Cost: $18.99 CI
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Central Coast, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: William Hill Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple, on the sweeter style Chard.

Positives: This wine features mild toasted oak, lemon candy, peach, sweet corn, mango & ripe pineapple. Full body with medium acidity & an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For $10 more the William Hill Napa Chard is far superior and worth the extra money. See my tasting notes 12 Nov 2012

Drink now on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques.

Tasted: 12 Dec 2013

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

KING ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2009, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States

15 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by Twilight Wines in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $26.30 CI
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: King Estate
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple, light style Pinot Noir

Positives: This wine features pine, cranberry, sour cherry and some earth notes. Light body & tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with thin crust pizza.

Tasted: 15 Dec 2013

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 7/10 Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

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