STERLING CHARDONNAY 2007, Napa Valley, California

31 Saturday Mar 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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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

GLORIA FERRER BLANC DE BLANCS 2005, Carneros California, Méthode Champenoise

25 Sunday Mar 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Gloria Ferrer Blanc De Blancs 2005, Carneros, California, Méthode Champenoise Bottle

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Carneros
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Freixenet Sonoma Caves
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ straw colour with fine mousse and a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Absolutely delightful. Notes of yeast, brioche, light toast, granny apples, lemon, orange & limestone.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This bubbly taste closer to $100 Champagne.

Drink now on its own or pair it with caviar.

Tasted: 25 Mar 12

Top Pick & Best Buy

Score: 9.5/10, 10/10, 19.5/20 (one of my highest rated wines)

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO#: 223792

CONO SUR BICYCLE VIOGNIER 2010, Colchagua Valley Chile

25 Sunday Mar 2012

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Cono Sur Bicycle Viognier 2011, Colchagua Valley Bottle

Cost: $9.95
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: Still Table Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vina Tocornal
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Medium+ straw colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: A pleasant drinking wine which features apricots, grapefruit, lime, apple & limestone. Medium body wine with good acidity, medium+ length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: A touch sour on the finish.

Interesting Point: Cono Sur is one of the top wine companies making good & inexpensive wines.

Drink now on its own or pair it with any potato dish, like potato chips, fries etc.

Tasted: 23 Mar 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 64287

BARON DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2001, DOC Rioja, Spain

20 Tuesday Mar 2012

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Baron De Ley Gran Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja Bottle

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Gamacha (Grenache) & Monastrell (Mourvèdre)
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron De Ley
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: What a devine nose. I just want to get an oxygen mask & substitute the oxygen for the aromas of this wine. Notes of cedar, sandalwood, cigar box, cherry, cloves, cinnamon & suede. The taste ain’t bad either featuring cedar, dark & sour cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cassis, cloves, leather, arugula & spinach. Medium to medium+ body, medium+ tannins, good acidity, long length & a touch of heat from the alcohol.

Negatives: Surprisingly astringent for a 2001 Grand Reserva. Decant for at least an hour & during that time just inhale the aromas. The taste catches up to the nose.

Drink now or over the next 2 years & pair it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 19 Mar 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 642496

SILENI CELLAR SELECTION PINOT NOIR 2011, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

20 Tuesday Mar 2012

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Sileni Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2011, Hawkes Bay, North Island Bottle

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL bottle
Producer: Sileni Estates
Alcohol: 12.0 %
Description: Light ruby in colour with medium minus intensity on the nose.

Positives: This is a light easy drinking Pinot. The nose is predominantly barnyard but the taste features notes of cherry, rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry & light earthy notes. Light body with low tannins, good acidity, alcohol is on the lower side & a long length.

Negatives: None.

Drink now on its own or pair it with smoked salmon filet.

Taste: 18 March 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 694901

ROSEMOUNT DIAMOND LABEL SHIRAZ 2010, Southeastern Australia

19 Monday Mar 2012

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Rosemount Diamond Label Shiraz 2009, Southeastern Australia Bottle

Cost: $15.95 ($13.95 until 1 Apr 12)
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Southeastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rosemount Estate Pty
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Deep dark ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Not your typical jammy notes that you would find in a lot of Australian Shiraz at this price. Notes of cedar, plum, nectarines, blackberry, white & black pepper, blackcurrants, tamarind, mocha & some fried bacon. Medium to medium+ in body with medium tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat here, which tells me that the true alcohol maybe more than 13.5%.

Interesting Points: Rosemount Diamond Label Shiraz is consistently good, and you can find it on sale a couple of times a year.

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with prime rib.

Tasted: 17 Mar 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+, Value: 9.5 (10/10 on sale), Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 302349

CALLIA ALTA MALBEC 2011, San Juan, Argentina

19 Monday Mar 2012

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Callia Alta Malbec 2011, San Juan Bottle

Cost: $10.90
Grape Variety: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Argentina
Region: San Juan
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Salentein Family Of Wines
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium minus ruby with a touch of purple in colour and a medium to medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: This is a lighter style of Malbec. Notes of cedar, blackberry, plums, mulberry, raspberry, fried peameal, tobacco leaves, anise, cassis, spinach leaves & a touch of spice. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, medium+ length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Touch too green.

Interesting Points:

  • A somewhat complex wine that is difficult to find at this price.
  • This has a screw cap
  • I like the classic label, looks more expensive than it really is.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years. Pair it with veal sandwich or drink on its own.

Tasted: 16 Mar 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 160978

HITCHING POST HOMETOWN PINOT NOIR 2008, Santa Barbara County, California

18 Sunday Mar 2012

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Hitching Post Hometown Pinot Noir 2008, Santa Barbara County Bottle

Cost: $26.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: USA
Region: Santa Barbara County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Unmistakable Pinot featuring spruce, potpourri, rhubarb, sour cherry, cranberry, pesto, suede & earthy notes. Medium minus in body, light tannins, good acidity with long length & alcohol well integrated.

Negatives: A little too much sourness on the finish.

Interesting Point: If you’ve seen the movie Sideways, you’ll recognize this winery, Hitching Post. Remember to lightly chill this Pinot.

Drink now on its own or pair with duck.

Tasted: 15 Mar 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 256644