PASSADOURO VINHO TINTO 2008, DOC Douro, Portugal

13 Sunday May 2012

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Passadouro Vinho Tinto 2008, Doc Douro Bottle

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Red Wine
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quinta Do Passadouro
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Violets on the nose with plum, cinnamon, peppercorns, cherry, figs, blackberry, mocha, leather, olives, vanilla & black currants. Full body with medium+ tannins, good & long length.

Negatives: Slight heat from the high alcohol.

Interesting Point: Classic Port notes without the sweetness of desert wine.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with beef coq au vin.

Tasted: 12 May 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 267997

IRONY MERLOT 2009, Napa Valley, California

13 Sunday May 2012

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Irony Merlot 2009, Napa Valley Bottle

Cost: $17.00
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Delicato Family
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “Classic Napa Merlot with aromas of black cherry, mocha, raspberry and vanilla. Elegant use of oak gives the whole package a fine structure and balance. The producers suggest enjoying this wine with roast beef, grilled chicken, baked ham, a classic cheeseburger or rich minestrone soup.” LCBO

Medium ruby with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Plums, milk chocolate, mulberries, sweet cherry, rhubarb, some leather, cumin, red liquorice, cinnamon & all spice. Medium body, medium tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat coming from the listed 14.5% alcohol. Some bitterness on the finish.

Interesting Points: This wine should please those that like their reds with a slight sweetness & lots of alcohol.

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

Tasted: 12 May 12, Score: 8+, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17/20

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

LCBO#: 183186

LE CLOS JORDANNE CLAYSTONE TERRACE CHARDONNAY, 2008 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

12 Saturday May 2012

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Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Chardonnay 2008 Bottle

Cost: $40.00
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vincor International Inc.
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Rich gold in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positive: A complex wine featuring medium toasted oak, butter corn, lime, musky wood spice, butterscotch, walnut, apricots, quince & limestone. Medium+ body, good acidity, alcohol is well integrated & long length.

Negatives: A little sourness on the finish.

Interesting Point: I recommend the larger Chard glass as it cuts the bitterness that a smaller glass will accentuate. I lucked out & bought this wine at LCBO for $28.05.

Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or paired with surf & turf.

Tasted: 11 May 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (on sale: 9+/10), Score: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 56929

MONCIGALE MINÉRAL ROSÉ BANDOL 2010, DOC Bandol, France

12 Saturday May 2012

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Moncigale Minéral Rosé Bandol 2010, Ac Bottle

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Grenache blend
Category: Rosé Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Bandol
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Moncigale Sas
Alcohol: 13.0 %
Description: Salmon colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: This rosé features Strawberry, lime, Spy apple, turn tamarind & limestone. Medium body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: A touch sour on the finish.

Interesting Point: I’m a proponent of rosé drinking year round, but a must for nice Spring & summer days.

Drink now on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

Tasted: 10 May 12

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

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

LCBO#: 226670

THE PEOPLE’S WINE PINOT NOIR 2010, Central Otago, New Zealand

05 Saturday May 2012

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THE PEOPLE'S WINE PINOT NOIR

Cost: $16.95 (Sale $15.95 until 27 May 12)
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Constellation Wines Nz
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby with a low intense nose.

Positives: A lighter & simple style Pinot featuring raspberry, sour cherry, rhubarb & a slight earthy note. Medium minus in body, low tannins, medium acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: This maybe a simple Pinot but I like it. The flavours that it does feature are all very good. The other things I like are: It’s in the LCBO General List, it’s under $20, which both points used to be unheard of for a Central Otago, it’s on sale now & it has a funky front & back label. Drink now on its own or pair it with Thumper, AKA rabbit. (Hey at least I didn’t say Bambi!)

Tasted: 3 May 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 234526

JANSZ PREMIUM SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, Tasmania, Australia

30 Monday Apr 2012

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Jansz Premium Sparkling Rosé, Tasmania Bottle

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: Tasmania
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Negociants International
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Pale salmon in colour with fine mousse & medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: If I tried this sparkling blind I would have said that’s it’s made in the classic champagne method. The wine features toasty brioche, strawberry, apple crumble pie, pink grapefruit, lemon, orange rind & limestone. Medium body with good acidly & fairly long length.

Negatives: Some sour notes on the finish. Drink now on its own or pair it with cheese & tomato omelette.

Tasted: 29 Apr 12

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO# 37499

AMISFIELD PINOT NOIR 2008, Central Otago, New Zealand

30 Monday Apr 2012

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

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Amisfield Pinot Noir 2008, Central Otago, South Island Bottle

Cost: $44.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Amisfield Wine Co Ltd
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “TASTING NOTE: Amisfield has been on a hot streak, and the 2007 continues that roll. The aromas show wonderfully high-toned cherry fruit, with a slightly herbal element that adds welcome complexity. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied and richly textured, with its black cherry fruit framed by a hint of vanilla. Long and lush on the finish, this looks to be at its best now and for the next several years. Score: 92 (Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast, March 1, 2009)” LCBO

Dark ruby in colour with medium to medium+ intensity.

Positives: Now this is a great Pinot featuring bold flavours of cherry, pomegranate, rhubarb, cranberry, beets, pine & hints of barnyard. Medium body with medium minus tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: I had the privilege of tasting this wine last year at the New Zealand Wine Tasting & it was one of my favourite wines that were offered. I’m happy to find that the LCBO now carries it, and even better was that I picked up this wine for $31.55.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Ahi tuna.

Tasted: 28 Apr 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO#: 179754

ROSS SHIRAZ 2006, Barossa Valley, Australia

27 Friday Apr 2012

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Ross Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia Bottle

Cost: $30.95
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ross Estate Wines Pty Ltd
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Dark garnet to ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A powerful but not jammy Shiraz from Australia featuring cedar, peppers  (white, red & black), bacon, plums, mesquite, dark chocolate, blackcurrants, tar, dark cherry & expresso. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Quite a bit of heat coming from the alcohol although it’s only listed as 14%.

Interested Point: I purchased this wine at a LCBO store for $21.70, which makes it a best buy at that price).

Drink now on its own or pair it with braised lamb shank.

Tasted: 25 Apr 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Score: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 233825

MOUTON CADET RESERVE BLANC 2009, AOC Graves, France

22 Sunday Apr 2012

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Mouton Cadet Reserve Blanc 2009, Graves, Bordeaux Bottle

Cost: $14.95 (sale: $12.95 until 29 Apr 12)
Grape Variety: Semillon/sauvignon/muscadelle
Category: Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron Philippe De Rothschild S.A.
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw colour with medium intense nose.

Positives: This is an easy drinking wine featuring guava, gooseberry, hay, lime, wet stone & grapefruit. Medium minus body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Caprese salad.

Tasted: 22 Apr 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 (sale price is 10/10), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 247080

GEYSER PEAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007, Alexander Valley, California

22 Sunday Apr 2012

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Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County Bottle

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ascentia Wine Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “This wine won a Judges’ Choice Award at the Wine Access International Value Wine Awards in 2009. The wine is filled with cassis, black plum, vanilla and cherry aromas. Dry and fruity, it is surrounded by ripe tannins and gentle acidity. Enjoy this award-winner with grilled lamb steaks.” LCBO

Dark ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Cedar, pine cones, dark cherry, marzipan, chocolate, cassis, anise, nutmeg, cinnamon, leather, pencil shavings, tamarind, slate & cigar box. Medium+ body, medium tannins, good acidity, long length & the alcohol is nicely integrated.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This has been a favourite of mine for decades. I’m glad it’s back & it’s under $25.

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

Tasted: 21 Apr 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 343467