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

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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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

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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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

GLORIA FERRER CHARDONNAY 2008, Carneros, California

21 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by in White Wines

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Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay 2008, Carneros Bottle

Cost: $23.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: Vintages LCBO
Country: California, United States
Region: Carneros
Format: 750 mL bottle
Producer: Gloria Ferrer
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Bright gold in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Not your typical California Chard, which makes sense as this one comes from the cooler region of Carneros. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pink grapefruit, pineapple, chives & limestone. Medium to full body with good acidity & long length.

Negatives: A little sour.

Drink on its own, but would be better off pairing it with food such as crab Alfredo.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 83345

PIERRE SPARR RÉSERVE PINOT GRIS 2009, AC Alsace, France

15 Sunday Apr 2012

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Pierre Sparr Réserve Pinot Gris 2009, Ac Alsace Bottle

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Pinot gris
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Pierre Sparr & Successeurs
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep straw with pink tinge in colour & medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a delicious wine featuring peach, pear, pink grapefruit, lemon/lime, lychee, beeswax ending off on a creamy finish. Off dry, medium+ body with medium to medium+ acidity & long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Thing: This is another two bottle wine that you can drink in a seating. The back label gives a lot of detail about this wine that would benefit consumers. Use the Viongier/Chardonnay glass if you have them.

Drink now on its own or pair it with shrimp tempura.

Tasted: 15 Apr 12

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 983395

DOMDECHANT WERNER HOCHEIMER KIRCHENSTUECK RIESLING AUSLESE 2003, Prädikatswein, Rheingau, Germany

15 Sunday Apr 2012

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

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Domdechant Werner Hocheimer Kirchenstueck Riesling Auslese 2003, Prädikatswein Bottle

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Germany
Region: Rheingau
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domdechant Werner’Sches Weingut
Alcohol: 7.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium minus intensity on the nose.

Positives: Dried apricot, mango, beeswax, honey, peach compote, lemon/lime candy, nutmeg & tangerine. Medium sweet, medium+ body with medium acidity, long length & low alcohol.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: It’s unusual to find Riesling with this somewhat muted nose. If you like aged Riesling but don’t like the classic petrol note, this wine is for you. Be careful when drinking this wine as you can easily drink a bottle very quickly so I suggest you get 2 bottles. Make sure you don’t over chill it to get the most out of what this wine has to offer.

Drink two bottles on its own or pair it with jerk pork & chicken.

Tasted: 14 April 12

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

LCBO: 931386