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

Posted by in Red Wines

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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

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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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

RAVENSWOOD SINGLE VINEYARD BELLONI ZINFANDEL 2008, Russian River Valley, California

15 Thursday Mar 2012

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Ravenswood Single Vineyard Belloni Zinfandel 2008, Russian River Valley Bottle

Cost: $44.95
Grape Variety: Zinfandel
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Constellation Wines
Alcohol: 15.0 %
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: This is not a jammy Zin that you only taste prunes. This wine is well balanced showing notes of raisins, dark cherry, plums, tobacco leaves, raspberry, blackberry & lots of spice. The nose has a nice smokey note that reminds me of chimney smoke from wood burning in a cold winter’s night. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat coming from the 15% alcohol.

Interesting Note: Taste more like a Washington Syrah than a Zin. Drink on its own or pair it with T-bone steak. Drinkable now or over the next 3 years. Decant for an hour & you’ll be rewarded with a smoother taste.

Tasted: 13 Mar 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 672741

BORTHWICK VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2008, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand

15 Thursday Mar 2012

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Borthwick Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008, Wairarapa, North Island Bottle

Cost: $35.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: New Zealand
Region: Wairarapa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Borthwick Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: “Grown near Masterton, in the Gladstone sub-region, the 2008 vintage is a deeply coloured, attractively perfumed red with vibrant cherry and plum flavours, showing excellent depth, ripeness and suppleness. Youthful, with good, savoury complexity and plenty of muscle, it should mature well. Score: 4 1/2 stars (out of 5) (Michael Cooper, Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wine, 2010)” LCBO

Medium minus ruby with a tint of garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: A good mix of Old World & New World Pinot in style, meaning not over bearing & having a good balance between fruit & earthy notes. Very smooth Pinot showing pine, rhubarb, cranberry, sour cherry, wooden embers, suede & truffles. Medium minus in body with medium minus tannins, good acidity, long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Slightly over sour on the finish.

Food friendly wine that will go well with duck or turkey. Drink now or over the next 2 years.

Tasted: 12 Mar 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 586065