TRAPICHE FINCAS LAS PALMAS MALBEC 2006, San Carlos, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

14 Saturday Apr 2012

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Trapiche Fincas Las Palmas Malbec 2006, Uco Valley, Mendoza Bottle

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Penaflor/Trapiche
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium purple to ruby in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Lots of bramble fruit, cedar, graphite, blueberry pie, plums & turn tamarind. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: The wine is a little astringent.

Interesting Point: I bought on sale for $14.05, which would make it a best buy.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with venison.

Tasted: 13 April 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 186668

FOLEY CHARDONNAY RANCHO SANTA ROSA 2008, Sta. Rita Hills, California

09 Monday Apr 2012

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Cost: $28.59 CI
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Sta. Rita Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foley Family Wines Inc.
Alcohol: 14.4 %
Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Delicious Chard featuring medium toasted oak, pineapple, mango, lemon,  pear and limestone. Full body with good acidity, long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: A little sourness on the finish.

Interesting Note: Use the larger Chard glasses if you have them.

Drink now on its own or match it with angel hair with scallops and olive oil basil sauce.

Tasted: 8 April 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

TANDEM PINOT NOIR GREEN VALLEY KEEFER RANCH 2004, Sonoma County, California

09 Monday Apr 2012

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Cost: $31.99 CI
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wine Creek Cellars
Alcohol: 14.2 %
Description: Medium minus ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Interesting Pinot that is still vibrant for a 2004. Shows blueberry, strawberry jam, pine, stewed plums, nutmeg and cloves. Medium to medium minus in body, good acidity, mild tannins, good length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: A little too syrupy on the finish

Interesting Note: Taste more like a Zin with Merlot than a Pinot, which isn’t a bad thing unless you’re looking for classic Pinot taste.

Drink now on its own or match it with cured dried duck breast.

Tasted: 8 April 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Foley Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot Noir 2007, Santa Rita Hills, California

07 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Foley Rancho Santa Rosa Pinot Noir 2006, Santa Rita Hills Bottle

Cost: $34.99 CI
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Santa Rita Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foley Estates
Alcohol: 14.3%
Description: Light ruby colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a delightful Pinot, even my wife loved it.  Features classic pinot notes of cranberry, cherry, rhubarb, pine along with spearmint, sage, espresso and cola. Medium minus in body with light tannins, medium acidity, long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 6 April 12

Top Pick

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

FAMILIA ZUCCARDI Q CHARDONNAY 2009, Mendoza, Argentina

05 Thursday Apr 2012

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FAMILIA ZUCCARDI Q CHARDONNAY 2009

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: La Agricola
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: The nose has a sweet peach smell along with lemon, orange, mango, pineapple, dill, butter & light toasted oak. The taste shows similar notes to the aromas with the addition of pink grapefruit rind. Medium body with good acidity & very long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point:

  • Taste more like a $40 Chard
  • Use the smaller Chard glasses if you have them.
  • I was able to find it on sale for $14.05 at a LCBO store.

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

Tasted: 4 Apr 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 232702

ST. SUPÉRY MERLOT 2007, Napa Valley, California

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

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St. Supéry Merlot 2007, Napa Valley Bottle

Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St.Supery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Although the nose is somewhat muted in scent but the taste surely is not. The mouth explodes with blueberry, plum, raspberry, cassis, cedar, black cherry, dark chocolate & cinnamon. Medium+ body with young tannins, good acidy & long length.

Negatives: A little heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Thing: I was able to get this at the LCBO on sale for $13.35, which would give it a 10/10 on the value scale.

Decant and drink on its own today or pair it with prime rib. I believe this wine will get better in 2 years.

Tasted: 3 Apr 12

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO#: 398214

CHÂTEAU ROUSSEAU DE SIPIAN 2006, Médoc, France

01 Sunday Apr 2012

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Château Rousseau De Sipian 2006, Ac Médoc Bottle

Cost: $22.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon blend
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Médoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Rousseau De Sipian
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, blackberry, plum, cassis, anise, turmeric, pencil shavings & leather. In other words classic Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium body with medium tannins, medium acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: Flavours are somewhat muted.

Interesting Point: Found this wine on sale at LCBO for $16.15.

Drink now on its own or pair it bacon, mushroom burger.

Tasted: 31 Mar 12

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (sale price 9.5/10), Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 246637

STERLING CHARDONNAY 2007, Napa Valley, California

31 Saturday Mar 2012

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STERLING CHARDONNAY 2007

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Diageo Canada Inc
Alcohol: 14.2 %
Description: “An excellent value from Napa, Sterling barrel ferments and ages this medium-full bodied winner giving it toasty and smoky notes balanced with aromas and flavours of ripe apple, peach, pear and tropical fruit. Terrific with grilled prawns or grilled chicken.” LCBO

Bright gold in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Easy drinking Chard featuring medium toasted oak, honeysuckle, lemon, maple, apple, buttered popcorn, sweet corn, vanilla, orange rind, oak spice & marshmallow. Medium+ body with medium acidity, long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: Sterling consistently makes good value wines. Use the larger Chard glass if you have it.

Drink now on its own or pair it with snow crab & drawn butter.

Tasted: 30 Mar 12

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO#: 330233

CAMPO VIEJO CRIANZA 2008, DOC Rioja, Spain

27 Tuesday Mar 2012

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Campo Viejo Crianza 2008, Rioja Bottle

Cost: $14.45 (sale: $12.95 until 1 Apr 12)
Grape Variety: Tempranillo, grenache & Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Campo Viejo Savin S.A.
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Easy drinking wine featuring plum, cherry, raspberry, some sandalwood & Macintosh apple. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity, medium+ length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: Surprising to me that the nose is somewhat muted considering tempranillos have vibrant aromas.

Drink now on its own or pair it with butternut squash risotto.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 620997

BARON DE LEY ROSADO 2010, DOC Rioja, Spain

26 Monday Mar 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Baron De Ley Rosado 2010, Doca Rioja Bottle

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Rosé Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron De Ley
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: “Ernest Hemingway’s love of Spanish bullfighting is well known, but he was apparently also a big fan of rosado, Spain’s rosé wine. We are sure he would be well pleased with this interpretation. Baron de Ley has crafted a rosado with a vivid pink colour and a charismatic nose of strawberry, raspberry and red cherry. Structured, full-bodied and juicy on the palate, this food-friendly wine would be perfect with antipasto.” LCBO

Salmon in colour with a medium minus nose.

Positives: This is yummy. The nose is muted so I wasn’t expecting too much, but then I tasted it & wow. It was like those candies that have a fruit explosion once you crack the hard outer layer. Lots of strawberry with Macintosh apples, cranberry, cherry & some wet stone. Slightly off dry, medium body with good acidity, long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This is a great summer wine.

Drink on its own or pair it with grilled pork chop stuffed with sun dried tomatoes.

Tasted: 25 Mar 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 117283