CLOS JORDANNE VILLAGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

31 Wednesday Jul 2013

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Clos Chardonnay

Cost: $30.00 (Clearance: $21.05)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Clos Jordanne (Constellation Brands Inc)
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Quality wine that is well balanced at a reasonable price, and a best buy if you can get it at the clearance price.

Positives: This wine features well-integrated oak, mild toast, maple, lemon, peach, pineapple, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I tried this wine in several different Riedel style Chardonnay glasses and found the larger new world style to be the best.

Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with seared scallops with a hint of nutmeg and cracked pepper over angel hair pasta tossed in olive oil with basil and grape tomatoes.

Tasted: 29 July 2013

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 33936

PENINSULA RIDGE RESERVE SYRAH 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Friday Jul 2013

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Peninsula Syrah

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to medium+ ruby in colour with medium+ intense nose.

This is one of the better Canadian Syrah I have tasted to date.

Positives: This easy drinking wine has a beautiful smoky-violet/sandalwood nose combining on the taste with pepper, rhubarb, cured meats, tobacco leaf, forest greens & sour cherry. Medium body with medium minus tannins, medium acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Surprisingly I get some heat from the 12.5% alcohol.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Peninsula Ridge’s Antipasto Platter consistent of House smoked duck, Pingue’s prosciutto, Mennonite summer sausage, rabbit rillette,citrus marinated olives and grilled vegetable salad.

Tasted: 26 July 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 230896

TRIUS BRUT NV, Méthode Classique, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Canada

24 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Trius Brut

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Andre Wines
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Pale gold in colour with medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse.

A solid Ontario sparkling wine.

Positives: This sparkling features lemon/lime, brioche, baked apples, pear, toasted almonds & grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with squash or pumpkin soup.

Tasted: 11 July 2013  (Happy Birthday Mom)

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

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

LCBO: 284539

TRIUS ROSÉ 2011, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Jul 2013

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trius rose

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: 56% Syrah, 31% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location Bought: Winery or The Wine Store
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Andre Wines Ltd
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright cherry in colour with medium+ intense nose.

Positives: This dry rosé features cranberry, strawberry, sour cherry and pink grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity an average length.

Negatives: A little tart on the finish.

Drink now on its own or pair it with seafood paella.

Tasted: 11 July 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

PENINSULA RIDGE RESERVE VIOGNIER 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Jul 2013

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Viognier

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with medium+ intense nose.

This is one of the better Canadian Viogniers I have tasted to date.

Positives: This wine has a good balance between fruit and acidity showing apricot, peach, lemon, grapefruit & white pepper. Medium body and tannins with medium+ acidity a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with apricot glazed pork.

Tasted: 23 July 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

EAU VIVRE PINOT NOIR 2008, VQA Similkameen Valley, BC, Canada

11 Thursday Jul 2013

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Pinot

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.75)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Similkameen Valley, BC
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Eau Vivre Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour with medium to medium+ intense nose.

For under $21 it’s worth to try it.

Positives: This wine shows light pine, fallen leaves, champagne mushrooms, sour cherry, strawberry and lots of pomegranate. Medium minus body and tannins with good acidity a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own, but pairs better with food such as peppercorn tuna.

Tasted: 11 July 2013

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17/20

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

LCBO: 308353

MONTECILLO RESERVA 2007, DO Rioja, Spain

10 Wednesday Jul 2013

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Montecillo

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 21 July 13: $16.95)
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Osborne Y Cia
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright medium ruby in colour with medium to medium+ intense nose.

One of my favourite general list wines carried by the LCBO and it’s usually on sale a couple times in a year.

Positives: This classic easy drinking wine features cedar, cigar box, coconut, vanilla, plum, sour cherry, tobacco leaves, sandalwood and cherry pipe tobacco. Medium to medium+ body and tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 9 July 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (sale price: 10/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 621003

BERONIA ROSADO

09 Tuesday Jul 2013

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Beronia

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Rosé Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gonzalez Byass & Co.
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Red snapper in colour with a highly intense floral nose.

Positives: This wine features strawberry, cherry, cranberry, kiwi and pink grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity a fairly long length.

Negatives: The finish is like biting into a pit, a touch bitter.

Drink now or pair it with pork chops

Tasted: 8 July 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 323519

MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA 2006, DO Cariñena, Spain

09 Tuesday Jul 2013

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Monesterio

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: 70% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo, 10% Cariñena
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cariñena
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grandes Vinos Y Vinedos Sa
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with medium intense nose.

High quality wine that’s smooth, delicious & under $15

Positives: This wine shows rustic earthy flavours like cedar, Champagne mushrooms, spice box, black tea, olives, mingled with violets, cherry and plums. Medium body and tannins with good acidity a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: I love the smoky black bottle that is reminiscent of vintage port bottles.

Drink now on its own or pair it with cured meats.

Tasted: 7 July 2013

Top Pick and Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 166579

TOASTED HEAD BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2011, California, United States

09 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by in White Wines

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Toasted Head

Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until 21 July 13: $15.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: California
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: R.H. Phillips Vineyard & Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Gold in colour with medium+ intense nose.

A good 2nd bottle to have on hand when you don’t want to open something expensive.

Positives: A simple Chard that’s easy to drink featuring medium oak with a mild toasting, lemon meringue, smoky apple cinnamon, peaches & cream corn, and buttery popcorn. Medium+ body with good acidity an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: LCBO puts this wine on sale a couple times a year, which makes it worth buying.

Drink now on its own or pair it with chicken Alfredo.

Tasted: 7 July 2013

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price 9/10) Total: 17+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 594341