KATNOOK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008, Coonawarra, Australia

28 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ 1 Comment


Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia Bottle

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wingara Wine Group
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby with a garnet tinge and medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A solid Cab showing cedar, blackberry, eucalyptus, olives, blackcurrant, coffee, spinach, graphite, leather, turmeric, green tea and tamarind. Full body with green tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Slightly on the green side and too astringent for me. Needs time to mature.

Drink now, but pair it with a protein dish. Better to age this for another 5-7 years.

Tasted: 27 Jan 13

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 117+/20

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

LCBO#: 590471

DOMAINE MICHEL & STEPHANE OGIER LA COMBE DE MALLEVAL CONDRIE 2009, AOC Condrieu, France

27 Sunday Jan 2013

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

≈ Leave a comment


label

Cost: $59.95 (Clearance $42)
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Condrieu
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Michel & Stephane Ogier
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: Condrieu is Latin for nectar of the gods. (Not really, but it should be!). A simply delightful wine to drink and at the clearance price, seems even better. The wine has a nice balance showing tropical fruit, stone fruit, a touch of minerality with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: I’m not living in Condrieu.

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill this wine, or any Condrieu. It’s beauty must shine.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Foie Gras or lobster with drawn butter.

Tasted: 26 Jan 13

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value:9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 226704

 

 

BERONIA TEMPRANILLO, 2010 DOC Rioja, Spain

26 Saturday Jan 2013

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Beronia Tempranillo 2008, Rioja Bottle

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Beronia S.A.
Alcohol: 14 %
Description: Opaque ruby in colour with medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: The nose is just lovely featuring sandalwood, cloves, cinnamon & coconut. The taste features oak, sour cherry, plums and raspberry tea.

Negatives: The taste doesn’t measure up to the nose.

Interesting Things: I reviewed the 2007 in Nov 2011 and in comparison this one falls well below it. It also has a more opaque appearance and a higher alcohol content of 14%.

Drink now on its own or pair it with pulled pork sandwich.

Tasted: 25 Jan 13

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 243055

2007 VINTAGE PORT BORGES DOC Douro, Portugal

25 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by in Fortified & Desert Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Borges Vintage Port 2007, Doc Douro, Btld. 2009 Bottle

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Touriga-Nacional, Touriga-Franca and Tinta-Roriz from the Quinta da Soalheira
Category: Fortified Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sociedade Dos Vinhos Borges & Irmao
Alcohol: 20.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with medium intense nose.

Positives: I challenge anyone to bring me a vintage Port of good quality for under $30 let alone for under $50, but Borges succeeds. This Port is silky smooth and not like your typical vintage Ports that are heavy, sweet, and deep in the dates and nut flavour profile. This one has a lot of California Pinot qualities such as Pine, rhubarb, dark cherry, violets, cinnamon & raspberry. In addition, cloves, nutmeg, anise, plums and graphite. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: The presentation is second to none,  the bottle is swathed in white tissue paper and encased in a beautiful box. Perfect to give as a gift.

Drink now or over the next 15 years as an apéritif or digestif.

Tasted: 24 Jan 13

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value:10/10, Total: 19.5/10

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 250639

CHATEAU DES CHARMES CHARDONNAY BARREL FERMENTED 2010, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

25 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Château Des Charmes Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2010, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake Bottle

Cost: $13.95 (Clearance price of $11.20)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes
Alcohol: 13.0 %
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ nose.

Positives: What a nice balanced Chard that is only $13.95, or even better at the clearance price of $11.20, which you really can’t beat. This wine features a mild oak spice, lemon, melon, clementine, MacIntosh apple & limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I can just see myself on a nice summer day drinking this Chard at my favourite golf course patio after just posting a 62, then realizing that I did that only on the front nine. Oh well, I’ll have another bottle please. Drink from the smaller Chardonnay glass. FYI it’s -25 C with windchill right now!

Drink now on its own, as above, or pair it with chicken parmigiana.

Tasted: 24 Jan 13

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value:10/10, Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 81653

STERLING MERLOT 2009, Napa Valley, California

24 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


label

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Sterling Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intensity.

Positives: Easy drinking wine with oak spice, sweet cherry, blackberry, blackcurrants, leather, plums and chocolate. Medium+ body and tannins with medium acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Not worth the price. Should be around $15.

Drink now on its own or pair it with something.

Tasted: 23 Jan 13

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10, Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO#: 330241

THREE RIVERS CHARDONNAY 2008, Columbia Valley, Washington

23 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Three Rivers Chardonnay 2008, Columbia Valley Bottle

Cost: $19.95 (clearance price of $14)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: USA
Region: Columbia Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foley Family Wines Inc.
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Rich gold with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Yummy! I would rate this a two bottle per person to drink in a day/night, (three if you start in the morning). This may not have a balanced fruit to mineral ratio to make it a high scoring Chard, but if you just want to enjoy a wine, not care about the technical scores and just get hammered, this one’s for you. Medium+ oak with a medium toast, Paula Deen buttery delight, butterscotch, toffee, coconut, lemon meringue pie and roasted marshmallows. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.3% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Use the large Chard glasses and don’t chill it too much.

Drink now on its own or pair with lobster and drawn butter, or surf and turf.

Tasted: 22 Jan 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 233445

KAIKEN ULTRA MALBEC 2009, Mendoza, Argentina

20 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2009, Mendoza Bottle

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Montes S.A.
Alcohol: 15.0 %
Description: Deep ruby with a purple fringe, and a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: The Kaiken Ultra Malbec has been one of my favourite Malbecs year to year. This wine features oak, chocolate, espresso, plums, mulberry, blueberry and dark cherry. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: 15% Alcohol

Interesting Point: The 2009 is on sale now for $16.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 19 Jan 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 50849

COORALOOK PINOT GRIS 2008, Strathbogie Ranges (90%) Mornington Peninsula (10%), Australia

20 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cooralook Pinot Gris 2008 Bottle

Cost: $14.90
Grape Variety: Pinot gris
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Strathbodie Ranges & Mornington Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yabby Lake International Pty.L
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: An easy drinking Pinot Gris styled between the Italian Pinot Grigio and Alsace Pinot Gris. This wine is crisp with lemon, honeysuckle, pink grapefruit and pineapple. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2008 is on sale now for $11.95, which is a great deal.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Chinese food.

Tasted: 19 Jan 13

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value:10/10, Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO#: 212712

CUVAISON MERLOT 2006, Carneros, California

20 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


 label
 
Cost: $25.95 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott
Country: United States
Region: Carneros
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cuvaison Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: It’s been a long time since I had a Merlot that I really like. This easy drinking wine features light cedar, boysenberry, mulberry, mocha, lavender, plum, dark cherry, tarragon and woodsmoke. Medium+ body, medium tannins, good acidity, fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair cheese plate featuring pepper brie & manchego.

Tasted: 11 Jan 13

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

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