NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, spicy Chard. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, kumquat, Golden apples, pear, white peach, toasted pineapple, ginger & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 11, 2023

BROTHERHOOD NEW YORK PREMIUM SELECTION PINOT NOIR 2017, Washingtonville, New York, United States of America

10 Monday Jul 2023

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $27.95 (Clearance price: $24.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Washingtonville, New York
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Brotherhood Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Burgundian style Pinot with layered complexity with fruit & earth notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, cranberry, plum, mushrooms, earth, peat moss, black tea & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Listed as the American oldest winery, & they survived Prohibition by producing medicinal and sacramental wines.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with Escargot.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 9, 2023

LCBO: 79939

DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITIONAL CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine Queylus
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice creamy Chard that’s balance with citric fruits. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, green apple, pear, mandarin, almond, ginger, oak spice, limestone & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass With Lemon, Dill & Caper Sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 8, 2023

LCBO: 417774

GIRARD CHARDONNAY 2019, Carneros, California, United States of America

08 Saturday Jul 2023

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

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Cost: $39.95 (Clearance Price: $32.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Girard Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, powerful & complex Cali Chard without the high alcohol. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Metallic gold in colour with good acidity, high intensity nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, mango, peach, golden apple, kumquat, pear, orange, crème brûlée, ginger, toasted oak & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with chicken marsala.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 7, 2023

LCBO: 276675

TAWSE SKETCHES CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Thursday Jul 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95 (Sale price until July 16, 2023: $19.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Tawse Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced chard with good fruit & spice. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, white peach, green apple, pear, honeydew melon, fresh fig, ginger & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Last time I reviewed this win was the 2009 vintage in 2013. The cost $19.95, which is the same as the cost now when it’s on sale.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Portuguese chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 5, 2023

LCBO: 89037

UMBERTO CESARI MOM ROSÉ 2021, IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

03 Monday Jul 2023

Posted by in Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $15.95 (Clearance price $13.95)
Grape: Unknown
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Umberto Cesari
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Dry, crisp & citric wine. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour with high acidity, medium intensity nose, & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, grapefruit, passion fruit & green apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Wine merchants list this as white wine but there is a pale salmon colour.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 -4 years on its own or pair it with Smoked salmon and cucumber canapés.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 1, 2023

LCBO: 25751

13th STREET WINERY CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

01 Saturday Jul 2023

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Great year for wine in Niagara, great Chard at a great price. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pineapple, pear, peach, yellow plum, ginger, dill, oak spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Hand harvested in late September and early October and immediately full-cluster pressed, then fermented and aged in French oak barrels of a variety of sizes (225L, 400L and 500L) and a variety of ages, averaging 10% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 -6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Lobster Tails with Stelline and Lemon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 30, 2023

FERRARI-CARANO DRY SANGIOVESE ROSÉ, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

28 Wednesday Jun 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $23.10 (Clearance Price: $16.25)
Grape: 81% Sangiovese, Grenache, Syrah, Barbera
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing, crisp and an expressive rosé. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, watermelon, pomegranate, cranberries, mandarin and orange blossom on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with BBQ beef short ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 26, 2023

LCBO: 24271

13th STREET WINERY L. VISCEK CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Canada

27 Tuesday Jun 2023

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic quality cool climate with vibrant citric, tropical fruit and balanced oak . Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, clementines, pineapples, peach, ginger, dill, honeycomb, baking spice & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:  “No sorting was required as the grapes were in pristine condition. The must was then transferred to a mix of 228L, 400L and 500L French oak where it underwent alcoholic and full malolactic fermentation. Following this, the wine was kept in contact with its fine lees for 12 months prior to being transferred to stainless steel tanks for an additional 6 months of rest before bottling in February 2023, following light fining and filtration.” Winery 

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 6 -8 years on its own or pair it with .

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

SCHOOL HOUSE VINEYARD MESCOLANZA SYRAH BLEND 2015, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, California, United States of America

23 Friday Jun 2023

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $40.95 (Clearance Price: $28.70)
Grape: 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: School House Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Although these are classic Syrah Rhône grapes, the styling is Napa with sweet fruitiness, but unlike Napa, it is under 14% alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, high intensity nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Kirsch, blueberry, blackberry, plum, ripe tannin, white pepper, smoked bacon & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vineyard’s Rhône style field blend has 45 rows of Syrah, 5 rows of Grenache, and 2 rows of Mourvèdre.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 -6 years on its own or pair it with Korean Beef Short Ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended at the Clearance Price

Tasted: June 19, 2023

LCBO: 24452