YALUMBA THE Y SERIES VIOGNIER 2011, Barossa Valley, Australia

05 Monday Mar 2012

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Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2011, Barossa Valley, South Australia Bottle

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Negociants International
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Light gold in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A very nice aromatic wine showing honeysuckle, apricot, peach, pear, lemon marmalade. orange rind. Medium body with good acidity & long length.

Negatives: A little too much tartness on the finish.

Interesting Point: Yalumba consistently produces good Viogniers.

Drink now on its own. Enjoy it with pork loin stuffed with sun dried tomatoes & mozzarella cheese.

Tasted: 4 Mar 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 624502

VILAFONTÉ SERIES M 2006, Paarl, South Africa

04 Sunday Mar 2012

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Vilafonté Series M 2006, Wo Paarl Bottle

Cost: $34.55
Grape Variety: 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: South Africa
Region: Paarl
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vilafonte
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a highly intense nose.

Positives: The nose shows medium oak, roses, bramble fruit, menthol, plum, black cherry, cinnamon, leather, green twigs & some earthly notes. The taste is different from the nose showing coffee, mocha, nutmeg, blackberry, plum, anise, black currants, leather, portobello mushrooms, sour cherry & cinnamon. Medium to full body with medium+ tannins, acidity & length.

Negatives: A little astringent & therefore needs to be decanted for 2 hours hour, but then it opens up wonderfully.

Interesting Things: I love the minimalist label & the back label that gives the consumer a lot of interesting facts about this wine.

Drink now with tenderloin steak or lay it down for another 4 years.

Tasted: 3 Mar 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 7757

MASSUCCO BARBARESCO 2006, DOCG Langhe, Italy

04 Sunday Mar 2012

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Cost: $23.10
Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Langhe
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Az. Ag. Massucco
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Light garnet in colour with high intensity on the nose.

Positives: An exquisite nose featuring cedar, sandalwood, Italian spices, all spice, cinnamon, orange rind, live carnations, sour cherry, cherry cola, mulberry & truffles. The taste is similar to the nose. Medium body wine with medium+ tannins, high acidity, alcohol well interested with a long finish.

Negatives: None.

Drink now but will age nicely for the next 4 years. Enjoy it with red tomato sauce dishes.

Tasted: 2 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#: 214528

DOMAINE TROTEREAU QUINCY 2009, AOC Quincy, France

04 Sunday Mar 2012

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Domaine Troterau Quincy 2009, Ac Bottle

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Sauvignon blanc
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Quincy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Troterau
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold with a slight green tinge in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a delightful Sauvignon Blanc with no notes over competing with one another. Notes of gooseberry, melon, cantaloupe, honey, wet stone, lemon/lime, pear, herbal tea & pink grapefruit. Medium minus body with good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: Quincy is located in Loire Valley.

Drink now on its own or have it with regular potato chips.

Tasted: 28 Feb 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 225185

SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008, DO Maipo Valley, Chile

04 Sunday Mar 2012

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Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Maipo Valley Bottle

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vina Santa Rita
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a delightful complex nose showing cedar, cassis, star anise, cloves, blackberry, dark chocolate, cigar box, leather & pencil shavings. The taste is just as complex with its notes coming in waves. Similar notes to the nose but a fair amount of spinach on mid palate & finish that is traditionally found in Chilean Cabs. Medium to full body with medium+ tannins & acidity, alcohol well integrated & a very long finish.

Negatives: Taste falls well below the aromas due to the dominate green notes.

Drink now by decanting an hour before service. This Cab should cellar well for another 5 years. Pair it with medium-rare steak.

Tasted: 27 Feb 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 275594

ZONIN RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE, 2009 DOC Veneta, Italy

04 Sunday Mar 2012

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Zonin Ripasso 2009, Valpolicella Bottle

Cost: $16.45
Grape Variety: Molinara, Corvina, Rondinella
Category: Still Table Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Zonin S.P.A.
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, sour cherry, raspberry, mulberry & plums. Medium body with medium minus tannins, good acidity and medium length.

Negatives: Way too musty.

Pair this with pizza.

Tasted: 28 Feb 12

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 7.5/10, Total: 15/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2

LCBO#: 170142

TRUCHARD CHARDONNAY, 2008 Carneros, Napa Valley, California

04 Sunday Mar 2012

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Truchard Chardonnay 2008, Carneros, Napa Valley Bottle

Cost: $32.95 (sale: $23.15)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Carneros
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Truchard Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Gold in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Medium toasted oak with lemon, apples, pineapples, buttery popcorn, light smoke, and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and medium+ finish.

Negatives: Too much sourness on the finish.

Drink now on its own or pair it with chicken Alfredo.

Tasted: 27 Feb 12

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10, Score: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 60459

LAGUNA RANCH CHARDONNAY 2008, Russian River Valley, California

04 Sunday Mar 2012

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Gallo Family Laguna Vineyard Chardonnay 2008, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County Bottle

Cost: $32.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Wine
Appellation: Vintages
Country: California, United States
Region: Russian River
Format: 750 mL bottle
Producer: E. & J. Gallo Winery
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Gold in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Slightly creamy with medium toasted oak, buttery, pineapple, mango, oranges, caramel, lemon, apple, limestone and butterscotch. Medium to full body, good acidity and long length.

Negatives: Slight sourness on the finish.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or with lobster and drawn butter.

Tasted: 25 Feb 12

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 544981

SALTRAM MAMRE BROOK SHIRAZ 2008, Barossa Valley, Australia

04 Sunday Mar 2012

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Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia Bottle

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Treasury Wine Estates
Alcohol: 15.0 %
Description: Veinous in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: There’s a lot going here in this complex wine. Violets, cedar, spices, blackberries, coffee, plums, anise, dark chocolate, menthol, smoked bacon, roasted red peppers and sawdust. Full body, medium tannins, good acidity with long length and the high alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

This wine is a meal on itself, but will also pair nicely with a medium rare T-bone steak. Drink now or cellar for another 5 years.

Tasted: 25 Feb 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 32227

LAILEY VINEYARD CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula

04 Sunday Mar 2012

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Lailey Vineyard Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2009, VQA Niagara River Bottle

Cost: $19.95 (sale $14.05)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lailey Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5 %
Description: Medium straw in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: An old world style chard showing chrysanthemums, lemon, green apples, mandarine, light oak, limestone & sweat peach on the nose.

Negatives: Not complex while showing a lot of citric flavours. The nose is the best part of this wine.

Interesting Thing: Made with Canadian oak.

Drink now on its own or pair chicken breast in a lemon/basil sauce.

Tasted: 24 Feb 12

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO#: 225474