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

11 Thursday Jul 2013

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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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

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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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

CUVÉE ALEXANDRE MERLOT 2011 APALTA VINEYARD, Colchagua Valley, Chile

07 Sunday Jul 2013

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

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Cuvee Merlot

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: 85% Merlot, 15% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Trialto Wine group
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lapostolle
Alcohol: 15% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with medium intense nose.

A nice juicy merlot, but be careful as its listed at 15% alcohol

Positives: A complex wine featuring blackberry, blueberry, Allspice, tamarinds, vanilla, raspberry and some cooked spinach. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or cellar it for another 7 years. Pair it with venison.

Tasted: 11 June 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

CUVÉE ALEXANDRE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 APALTA VINEYARD, Colchagua Valley, Chile

07 Sunday Jul 2013

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Cuvee Cab

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Trialto Wine group
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lapostolle
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with medium intense nose.

Positives: A complex wine featuring blackberry, leather, cassis, anise, turmeric, white pepper, Allspice, tamarinds, vanilla, raspberry, tobacco and some fresh spinach. Medium+ body with green tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch too green right now

Drink now if you decant for an hour or cellar it for another 10 years. Pair it with high protein food such as steak.

Tasted: 11 June 2013

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

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

CASA LAPOSTOLLE GRAND SELECTION CARMENÈRE 2011, Rapel Valley, Chile

07 Sunday Jul 2013

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Casa Carmenere

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: 89% Carmenère, 6% Merlot, 5% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Rapel Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lapostolle
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with medium intense nose.

The blend of Merlot and Syrah makes this wine smooth and delicious.

Positives: This wine features plum, red peppers, peppercorn, cassis, raspberry, blackberry, cherry, chocolate, white pepper and vanilla. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The wine had double maturation of the grapes which is evident in the wine’s smoothness.

Drink now on its own or cellar it for another 2 years. Pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 11 June 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 168740

LAPOSTOLLE CUVÉE ALEXANDRE CHARDONNAY 2011 ATALAYAS VINEYARD, Casablanca Valley, Chile

07 Sunday Jul 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cuvee Alexandre Chard

Cost: $20.75
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Casablanca Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lapostolle
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with medium+ intense nose.

A nice balance between oak, fruit and minerality.

Positives: Light to medium toasted oak featuring lemon drops, pears, peach, buttered popcorn, a touch of honey and limestone. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or cellar it for another 5 years. Pair it with roasted turkey.

Tasted: 11 June 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 947937

CHATEAU DE SANCERRE 2011, AC Loire Valley, France

07 Sunday Jul 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Chateau de Sancerre

Cost: $23.95
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Trialto
Country: France
Region: Sancerre, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lapostolle
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A powerful Sancerre showing tropical fruits and minerality. Medium body with high acidity a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or cellar it for another 5 years. Due to the high acidity this wine needs food to be paired with food such as Julian salad.

Tasted: 11 June 2013

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

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