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

BUITENVERWACHTING CHARDONNAY 2010, Constantia, South Africa

15 Thursday Mar 2012

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Buitenverwachting Chardonnay 2010, Wo Constantia Bottle

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: South Africa
Region: Constantia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Buitenverwachting Farm Trust (Pty)
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a nice Chard that has just enough toasted oak as not to over shadow the fruit in this wine. Notes of lemon, crisp apple, caramel, light butter, lemon candy, limestone & tangerine. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity & long length.

Negatives: Some overly tart notes on the finish.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie hen.

Tasted: 14 Mar 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 269084