HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE BRUT SPARKLING WINE NV, MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

08 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Henry Of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula Bottle

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry Of Pelham Family Est. Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with fine mousse & medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: If my best buy category was for under $30, this sparkling would definitely be one. Side note: Some LCBOs have this in clearance for $24.95, which does make it a best buy. This sparkling is easy to drink & features brioche, yeast, baked apples, lemon custard & stone fruit. Medium to medium minus in body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Drink now on its own or pair it with red Lumpfish caviar.

Tasted: 7 Sept 12

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

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

LCBO#: 217521

CHÂTEAU LA FLEUR D’ARTHUS 2008, AC St. Emilion Grand Cru, France

08 Saturday Sep 2012

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Château La Fleur D'arthus 2008, Ac St émilion Bottle

Cost: $30.40
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: St. Emillion
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Nath. Johnston & Fils
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A fine St. Emillion featuring wet cedar, blackberries, red & black currants, licorice, graphite, spinach, radicchio, all-spice & red peppers. Medium body with high tannins & acidity with a long length.

Negatives: A little astringent now.

You will be rewarded with another 4-6 years for the wine to mature.

Tasted: 2 Sept 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 251702

ERRAZURIZ MAX RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Valley of Aconcagua, Chile

08 Saturday Sep 2012

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Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Aconcagua Valley Bottle

Cost: $18.95 (on sale $16.95 until 16 Sept 12)
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Valley of Aconcagua
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vina Errazuriz S.A.
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: The Max Reserva Cab is a fairly complex wine and unusual for such complexity at under $20, and even better when the LCBO puts it on sale a couple of times throughout the year. The 2010 vintage  features cedar, cassis, menthol, cloves, dark cherry, pencil shavings, leather, spinach leaves, red & black currants. Medium to full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Things: The Max Reserva Cab is consistently year in & year out a best buy.

Drink on its own or pair it with a T-bone steak.

Tasted: 6 Sept 12

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

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

LCBO# 335174

PERRIN RÉSERVE ROSÉ 2011, AC Côtes du Rhône, France

08 Saturday Sep 2012

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Perrin Réserve Rosé 2011, Côtes Du Rhône Bottle

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre
Category: Rosé Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Côtes du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Perrin & Fils
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: “From the family behind Château de Beaucastel comes this very popular rosé. Sourced from the Perrin Brothers’ southern Rhône vineyards, this versatile cherry- and strawberry-scented rosé is an excellent companion for cucumber sandwiches, seafood appetizers or other light garden-party fare.” LCBO

Watermelon in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Although the nose might be mute, the taste isn’t, featuring strawberry, cranberry, watermelon, lime & Macintosh apple. Medium minus in body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I found drinking from a Riesling glass was the best option as other grape style glasses showed more tartness.

Drink now on its own or bring to a BBQ party, just bring several bottles as people are going to drink it down like water.

Tasted: 5 Sept 12

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO#: 719062

ALIANCA TERRA BOA TINTO 2010, Portugal

08 Saturday Sep 2012

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Alianca Terra Boa Tinto 2010 Bottle

Cost: $7.25
Grape Variety: Tinta Roriz, Touruga Nacionale & Tinta Barroca
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Portugal
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves Alianca Vinicola De Sangalhos
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: An easy drinking wine featuring plums, raisins, blueberry jam & some cedar. Medium body with low tannins, medium acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: A touch sweet.

Interesting Point: This best buy comes by the recommendation from my brother Andrew.

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ Chinese ribs.

Tasted: 3 Sep 12

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

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

LCBO#: 590364

SUMAC RIDGE TRIBUTE SPARKLING WINE PRIVATE RESERVE, MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE (Blanc de Blanc) NV, VQA Okanagan, British Columbia

08 Saturday Sep 2012

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Sumac Ridge Tribute, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia Bottle

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vincor International Inc. – B.C.
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw to gold in colour with fine mousse & a medium intense nose.

Positives: This sparkling can compete with Champagne at the $40-50 price range. This sparkling features green apples, lemon/lime, some yeast, pear & peach. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I was able to pick up this sparkling at 30% off at an LCBO store, which would make it a best but.

Drink now on its own or have it with Sunday brunch.

Tasted: 2 Sept 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 169508

BONTERRA VIOGNIER 2010, Mendocino, California

08 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Bonterra Viognier 2010, Mendocino County Bottle

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Mendocino
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fetzer Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.7 %
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose.

Positives: Here’s another winner from Bonterra & a very pleasant surprise for producing a quality Viognier for under $20. Featuring peaches, apricots, mangoes, clementines, lemongrass & lemon custard. Medium light to medium body with good acidity & medium length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This Viognier is more citric & less oily & complex than Condrieu (the benchmark for Viogniers), but still very good for its price. Bonterra produces organic wines.

Drink now & pair it with lemon pepper grilled catfish.

Tasted: 4 Sept 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 128900

PEDRERA MONASTRELL ROSADO 2010, Jumilla, Spain

02 Sunday Sep 2012

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Juan Gil Pedrera Monastrell Rosado 2010, Do Jumilla Bottle

Cost: $10.30
Grape Variety: Monastrell
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Jumilla
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hijos De Juan Gil
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Pomegranate in colour with a low intense nose.

Positives: A simple dry rosé featuring limes, cherry, pomegranate & radish. Medium minus body with medium acidity & a surprising average than normal length for a rosé.

Negatives: A touch tart.

Drink now on its own or pair it with pork chops stuffed with sun dried tomatoes.

Tasted: 1 Sept 12, Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 224998

CHÂTEAU SEGUIN 2008, AC Pessac-Léognan, France

02 Sunday Sep 2012

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Château Seguin 2008, Ac Pessac Léognan Bottle

Cost: $30.95
Grape Variety: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Pessac-Léognan
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine De Seguin
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Deep blood ruby in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: I found that after 2 hours I detected new flavours. It’s a wine that keeps on giving. Notes of cedar, expresso, gun smoke, cassis, leather, blackberries, black olives, earthy, black currants, all-spice, vanilla bean, pencil shavings, spinach & a beautiful kirsch nose. Medium to full body, medium+ tannins & acidity with a long complex length.

Negatives: A little astringent at this time.

Drink now, but decant for an hour. This should age nicely over the next 5 years. Pair this with Chateaubriand.

Tasted: 30 Aug 12

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

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

LCBO#: 245837

ARTESA CHARDONNAY 2010, Carneros, California

02 Sunday Sep 2012

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

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Artesa Chardonnay 2010, Carneros Bottle

Cost: $23.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay with a small blend of Sauvignon Blanc, albariño & pinot blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Carneros
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Artesa Winery
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: This is not a big blockbuster California Chard, but there’s a lot to it, rich, creamy & one of the longest tasting in length for a Chardonnay I’ve tasted. Lightly toasted oak featuring lemon, green apples, mangos, pineapple, peach, marshmallow, custard, limestone, orange, crème brûlée & a slight peppery note. Medium to full body, good acidity & a very long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: One of the best Chards that I tasted that should appease those that like big Chards & those that like Chablis style.

Drink now or over the next 5 years. Can be drank on its own, but this was one of the best Chards I’ve tasted for pairing with crustaceans and drawn butter.

Tasted: 31 Aug 12

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO#: 657585