ARTESA CHARDONNAY 2011, Carneros, California, United States

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in White Wines

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Artesa

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Carneros
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Artesa Winery
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

A Chard that goes better with food then by itself.

Positives: This wine has light toasted oak with lemon, green apples, mandarin, pear, some guava and limestone.  Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A slight bitter aftertaste.

Interesting Point: I loved, loved, loved the 2010 vintage, unfortunately this one doesn’t measure up to that year. Use the smaller cooler climate Chard glass.

Drink now or over the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Cornish hen.

Tasted: 28 Oct 2013

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

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

LCBO: 657585

COLUMBIA CREST MERLOT 2010, Columbia Crest, Washington, United States

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

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Columbia Crest

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Crest Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

If you look beyond the musky nose, it’s not bad especially at the price point.

Positives: This wine features mild oak, plum, cherry, blackberry, mulberry, graphite, leather, oregano and mushrooms. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: There’s s musky smell that I wouldn’t associate with Merlot. Some heat generated from the 13.5% alcohol, which makes me supect that’s it’s actually higher.

Interesting Point: I like the new label on this wine.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

Tasted: 27 Oct 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 263418

ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT ROSÉ NV, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United States

03 Sunday Nov 2013

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Rod

Cost: $35.95
Grape Variety: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Anderson Valley, Mendocino County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maisons Marques & Domaines
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light turmeric in colour with a medium intense nose.

I like it, but not at the price point. Their regular sparkling is far superior.

Positives: This sparkling wine made in the traditional method shows yeast, crab apples, grapefruit, roasted garlic, cantaloupe, green papaya and flint. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Minimum two years on the yeast

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

Tasted: 3 Nov 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 479758

FERRARI-CARANO CHARDONNAY 2011, Sonoma County, California, United States

27 Sunday Oct 2013

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Ferrari

Cost: $28.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ferrari Carano Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

An eloquent Chard that would be well suited for a black tie affair.

Positives: This complex wine features integrated oak, lightly buttered toast, lemon, tangerine, green apple, McIntosh apple, peach, pineapple, honeydew melon, caramel, crème brũlée and limestone.  Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.1% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Two different Chard glasses, two different tastes. If you use the larger glass you gain more creaminess, but loose some citric notes and vice versa with the smaller cool climate glass.

Drink now or over the next 6 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Capon with Tarragon Butter and Mango Relish.

Tasted: 26 Oct 2013

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

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

LCBO: 295055

CHÂTEAU CISSAC 2008, Ac Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France

25 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Chateau Cissac

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Cissac
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

An elegant wine from Bordeaux that you would expect to pay $50 for.

Positives: The wine features cedar, dark cherry, blackcurrant, star anise, pencil shavings, turmeric, sage, plum, arugula and cigar box. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon.

Tasted: 25 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 324665

KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2012, California, United States

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

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Kendall Jackson Chardonnay

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kendall-Jackson
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Consistently a good Chard for under $20

Positives: This wine features light oak, oak spice, lemon, green apples, some nutmeg, peach, pear and white flower on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 23 Oct 2013

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

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

LCBO: 369686

GRAY FOX CHARDONNAY 2012, California, United States

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Gray Fox

Cost: $8.25
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gray Fox Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light yellow in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

It’s hard to find a budget conscious Chard that you won’t want to spit out and this one succeeds. The larger 1.5ltr is only 14.45.

Positives: A simple, somewhat soft Chard featuring light oak, lemon candy, golden apples, some oak spice and pears. Also nice to see this Chard is only 13% in alcohol. Medium body with medium acidity and length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with a chicken dish.

Tasted: 23 Oct 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 614271

KRATISTOS 2008, Nemea, Greece

18 Friday Oct 2013

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Kratistos

Cost: $15.75
Grape Variety: Agiorgitiko
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Nemea
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lykos Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A unique wine that’s a mix of Sambuca, a well aged rum and port.

Positives: This easy drinking wine features lots of pine, sandalwood, anise, sugar cane, dark cherry, dates, raisins, Rosemary and basil. Medium+ body with medium minus tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with white chocolate.

Tasted: 17 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 61473

TRIUS BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

11 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine

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trius_chardonnay-bf_2

Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until 13 Oct 13: $17.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Hillebrand Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hillebrand Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A simple oaked Chard that is of good quality.

Positives: The wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, red crab apple, white flower and pineapple. Medium+ body with good acidity and a surprising long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard glass.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with turkey dinner.

Tasted: 9 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

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

TRIUS RED 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

11 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Trius Red

Cost: $22.95 (Sale price until 13 Oct 13: 20.95)
Grape Variety: 43% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages & The Wine Shop
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hildebrand Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Good quality Ontario Bordeaux style for under $25

Positives: The wine features oak, twigs, blackcurrants, tobacco leaves, cherry, blueberry, turmeric, anise and leather. Medium+ body with dry tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour and I like the long neck bottle.

Drink now or over the next  5-8 years on its own or pair it with T-Bone steak.

Tasted: 8 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 303800