ANGELS GATE ARCHANGEL BRUT CHARDONNAY SPARKLING 2010, Méthode Traditonnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula

14 Sunday Oct 2012

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Angels Gate Archangel Chardonnay Brut 2010, Niagara Peninsula Bottle

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Nigagara Penisula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Angels Gate Winery
Alcohol: 12.0 %
Description: Pale straw in colour with fine mousse and medium intensity on the nose

Positives: A simple sparkler featuring lemon lime, quince and light toastiness.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The LCBO will have this sparkler on sale a couple of times throughout the year.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Sunday Brunch.

Tasted: 14 Oct 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO# 227009

DOMAINE LOUIS MICHEL & FILS VAUDÉSIR CHABLIS GRAND CRU 2008, Vaudésir, France

14 Sunday Oct 2012

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

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Cost: $59.00 (Clearance price $41.35)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Vaudesir
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domain Louis Michele
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold with a low intensity nose.

Positives: A strikingly complex Chablis which features lime zest, grapefruit (both white & pink), wakame salad, dill, horseradish, quince and ends in a cool citrus bite interwoven with alkaline and iodine nuances. Medium minus body with high acidity and a long length. This Chablis came to play.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 6 years. Paired extremely well with Raspberry Point oysters. and with dill pickles.

Tasted: 13 Oct 12

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Value: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 172569

BODEGAS CAMPILLO FERMENTADO EN BARRICA BLANCO 2010, DOC Rioja, Spain

13 Saturday Oct 2012

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Bodegas Campillo Fermentado En Barrica Blanco 2010, Doca Rioja Bottle

Cost: $16.95 (clearance $11.70)
Grape Variety: Viura & Malvasia
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Campillo
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Pale straw in colour with high intense nose.

Positives: This smokey and oxygenated wine features medium toasted oak with lemon candy, orange rind, pine needles, tarragon and truffles, . Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: If you don’t like oxygenated style wines, this wine is not for you.

Interesting Point: Use the Viognier style glass if you have it as it brings out the most in this wine. Don’t over chill it for it will dull the wine.

Drink now on its own or pair it with red snapper ceviché.

Tasted: 12 Oct 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO#: 657478

WHITEHAVEN PINOT NOIR 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

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Whitehaven Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough Bottle

Cost: $22.95 (sale: $18.40 until Dec 31/12)
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Whitehaven Wines Com. Ltd.
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light+ garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A nice easy drinking Pinot showing cranberry, cherry, sour cherry, rhubarb, All-spice and some strawberry jam. Medium minus body with medium minus tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Marlborough is starting to make a name for good Pinots priced under $25 in Ontario. Remember to lightly chill Pinot.

Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Thanksgiving turkey, which I did.

Tasted: 6 Oct 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 245696

BURNING KILN CHARDONNAY 2010, VQA Ontario, Canada

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category:  White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burning Kiln Winery
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: This Chard is easy drinking, smooth, lightly toasted oak featuring notes of lemon, Macintosh apple, buttered toast, tangerine and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Not in the LCBO.

Interesting Note: I tasted this wine at the Taste of Ontario on 28 Sept 12, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Rabbit Normandy Style.

Tasted: 28 Sept 12

Best Buy

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

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

BURNING KILN CABERNET FRANC 2011, VQA Ontario, Canada

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category:  Red Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burning Kiln Winery
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: The first thing that I noticed was that there wasn’t the usual twiggy/leafy notes associated with Cabernet Franc from Ontario, and the second was that it was easy drinking. This Cab Franc had nice smokey notes, sizzling bacon, tobacco, blackberry, cassis, blueberry, plum, cedar and boysenberry. Medium body with medium+ tannins & acidity with a fairly long length.

Negatives: Not sold in LCBO, yet.

Interesting Note: I tasted this wine at the Taste of Ontario on 28 Sept 12, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Rabbit Stifado.

Tasted: 28 Sept 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

SMOKE & GAMBLE RESERVE CABERNET MERLOT 2010, VQA Ontario, Canada

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

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

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Smoke & Gamble Reserve Cabernet Merlot 2010, VQA Ontario Bottle

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: 49.5% Merlot, 37.2% Cabernet Franc & 13.3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dover Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: The nose is divine and the taste is not far behind showing sizzling bacon, cedar, blackberry, cassis, leather, cloves, cinnamon, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings and black currants. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points:

  • This was the best red that I tasted at the Taste Ontario that was held on 28 Sept 12, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. I had a great time talking with the wine maker; Robert Gill and their distributor; Douglas Russell.

I love the copper label. 

  • The winery is located near Port Dover, Fort Erie

Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon.

Tasted: 28 Sept 12

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10, Score: 9+/10

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO:332825

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY 2010, Columbia Valley, Washington State

29 Saturday Sep 2012

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Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2010, Columbia Valley Bottle

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chat Ste Michelle
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: An easy drinking Chard featuring light toasted oak, lemon, lemon custard, peach, pear, green and yellow apples, limestone and spice. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the smaller Chard glass.

Tasted: 27 Sept 12

Best Buy

Drink now on its own or pair it with bacon seared scallops

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#232439

ASTROLABE VOYAGE PINOT NOIR 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand

29 Saturday Sep 2012

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Astrolabe Voyage Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough, South Island Bottle

Cost: $24.95 (sale $17.30)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Astrolabe
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium light ruby and garnet with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: Lots of juicy fruit featuring cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, Macintosh apple rhubarb, pipe tobacco, pine needles and forest leaves. Medium body with medium minus tannins, good acidity, and  a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5 alcohol.

Interesting Point: I’m somewhat surprised that a cool climate Pinot reached 14.5% alcohol. Remember to slightly chill Pinot.

Drink now on its own or pair it with roasted duck.

Tasted: 25 Sept 12

Best Buy (Especially at the sale price!)

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

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

LCBO#: 179200

AMAYNA CHARDONNAY 2008, Leyda Valley, San Antonio, Chile

29 Saturday Sep 2012

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Amayna Chardonnay Estate Btld. 2008, Leyda Valley, San Antonio Bottle

Cost: $25.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Chile
Region: Leyda Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vina Garces Silva Ltda.
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A really nice, smooth and creamy Chard featuring medium toasted oak, buttery, spiced apple, mango, pineapple, lemon zest, persimmon, creme brulée, lemon meringue pie, coconut, vanilla and cashews. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: You do get some heat from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: LCBO has this at $3 off regular price until it’s sold off. Good time to buy now.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with, what else?; Lobster and drawn butter. Utterly hedonistic.

Tasted: 22 Sept 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 76265