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

13th STREET WINERY VIOGNIER RESERVE 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Jun 2023

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant Viognier. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Apricot, peach pit, pear, white peach, orange peel, ginger, vanilla & Jasmine on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Fermented and aged for 12 months in seasoned French Oak barrels (228L, 400L, & 500L) to enhance the intensity fruit character and aromatics typical of this varietal.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 -6 years on its own or pair it with mild shrimp curry.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: June 16, 2023

CHAMPAGNE POMMERY BRUT ROSÉ, NV, AOC Reims, Champagne, France

12 Monday Jun 2023

Posted by in Champagne, Highly Recommended

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Cost: $80.00
Grape: Chardonnay 34 %, Pinot Meunier 33 %, Pinot Noir 33 %
Category: Champagne
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Reims, Champagne
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Champagne Pommery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant brut rosé Champagne. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light brioche, strawberry, raspberry, Fuji Apples, cherry, tangerine, pink grapefruit & shale stone on the finish.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 10 years on its own or pair it with strawberry & tomato Gazpacho.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 11, 2023

LCBO: 25904

GRAN BARÓN RESERVA CAVA, NV, Método Tradicional, Spain

15 Monday May 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Macabeu – Xarel·lo – Parellada
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gran Barón
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic brut Cava being expressive, not complicated, just good. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Kiwi, McIntosh apples, pear, white peach & orange blossom on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan friendly. Aged an average of 18 months on in bottle.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 14, 2023

LCBO: 16836

Collalbrigo Extra Dry Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, NV, DOCG Conegliano and Valdobbiadene

07 Sunday May 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Tenuta di Collalbrigo Winery
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic DOCG Prosecco being dry, crisp, clean with nice fruit flavours. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lime, green apples, pear & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan friendly

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 7, 2023

LCBO: 30579