SPY VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand

28 Saturday Jan 2012

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Cost: $22.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: New Zealand
Region: Malborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Spy Valley Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet to ruby in colour with highly intense nose.

Positives: What a lovely Pinot nose showing pine needles, cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb, earthy notes of fallen leaves, truffles & fresh cut hay. Unfortunately, the taste falls short of what the aroma of this wine gives us. Tasting notes of mushrooms, cranberry, strawberry & radish giving a slight bitter taste. Medium minus body with good acidity, low tannins, long finish & the high alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Too bad the long finish is bitter.

Interesting Point: This wine was like seeing Mamma Mia on stage & then seeing it on film with Pierce Brosnan singing. Still can’t get that out of my head. (Unless you liked Brosnan’s singing, in which case you will love this wine).

Drink now on its own or pair it with escargot.

Tasted: 26 Jan 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO#: 734681

CAMPEDEL RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2008, DO Protetta Italy

28 Saturday Jan 2012

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Cost: $13.90
Grape Variety: Corvina Blend
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: Valpolicella-superiore
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Az. Agr. Gamba
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium garnet in colour with medium+ intensity.

Positives: Very smooth albeit not complex Valpolicella but still delicious wine. You’ll find classic Valpolicella notes of cedar, dark chocolate, raisins, plums, dark cherry, nutmeg, cinnamon & leather. Medium body, medium to medium minus tannins, good acidity with long length.

Negatives: Be careful not to inhale the aromas too quickly as the high alcohol vapor may knock you out. I kid, but it is really strong.

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ beef ribs.

Tasted 24 Jan 12

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 160242

CASTELLO DELLA SALA BRAMÌTO DEL CERVO CHARDONNAY 2010, IGT Umbria, Italy

25 Wednesday Jan 2012

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Castello Della Sala Bramìto Del Cervo Chardonnay 2010, Igt Umbria Bottle

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marchesi Antinori
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “The Umbria region in general, and Antinori’s Castello della Sala estate in particular, have shown a fine hand with Chardonnay. The 2009 Bramìto Chardonnay is no exception. Filled with aromas of peach, apricot, toast and a fine minerality, this well-made, fresh Chardonnay is an ideal partner for barbecued jumbo shrimp or even for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner.” LCBO

Light gold in colour with a medium minus to medium intensity in the nose.

Positives: A Chablis style chard featuring lemon, apple, peach, limestone & wet stone. Medium body with good acidity & long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: Use the smaller chard glass as it brings out more of the intensity of the notes. An excellent alternative to Chablis.

Drink now or within the next two years. Drink on its own or pair it with raw oysters.

Tasted: 23 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO:# 176792

BADGER MOUNTAIN VINTNER’S ESTATE SYRAH 2008, Columbia Valley, Washington

23 Monday Jan 2012

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Cost: $16.15
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Badger Mountain Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a high intensity nose.

Positives: The taste of this complex wine washes over the palate in waves. Look for dark cherry, tamarind, rhubarb, blackberry, mulberry, plums, red currants, licorice, black pepper, capers, celery & earth notes. Medium body, medium+ acidity & very long length.

Negatives: Due to its complexity some notes may not be for everyone, but I really liked it.

Interesting Point: Washington’s first certified organic winery in 1990.

Drink now on its own or pair it with veal Parmigiana.

Tasted: 22 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 209882

FEUDO PRINCIPI DI BUTERA INSOLIA 2009, Butera, IGT Sicily Italy

22 Sunday Jan 2012

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Feudo Principi Di Butera Insolia 2009, Igt Sicilia Bottle

Cost: $13.75
Grape Variety: Insolia
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Sicily
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Zonin S.P.A.
Alcohol: 13.0 %
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Not a very expressive white, but very pleasant showing notes of melon, apricot & pear. Medium body, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Don’t expect too much.

Drink now on its own or pair it with sushi.

Tasted: 21 Jan 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 229765

HOB NOB CHARDONNAY, 2009 Pays D’Oc, France

21 Saturday Jan 2012

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Hob Nob Chardonnay 2009, Vins De Pays D'oc Bottle

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: George Duboeuf
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: New gold in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A lot of flavour going on especially for a wine that’s under $12. Good balance between citric & tropical fruit. No new wood detected but there is malolactic fermentation to smooth out the wine. Medium body, good acidity & medium length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Thing: Use the larger new world Chard glass as I found the smaller glass enhanced the citric notes.

Drink now on its own or pair it with a variety of seafood dishes.

Tasted: 20 Jan 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#:232710

PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH, 2010 Swartland, South Africa

20 Friday Jan 2012

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Porcupine Ridge Syrah (V) 2010, Wo Coastal Region Bottle

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Swartland
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Boekenhoutskloof Winery
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: “Impressive Syrah with aromas of blackberry, bacon, brambleberry, mixed dried herbs and black pepper. It’s dry, with concentrated fruit and moderate tannins. Sweet-fruit core is nicely balanced by fresh acidity. Medium-full bodied with an impressive finish. Can cellar 2-3 years, but why wait? Enjoy it with bacon-wrapped sausages, smoked back ribs or grilled steaks with a peppercorn sauce.” LCBO

Medium+ ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose. Positives: Smooth wine with notes of light cedar with tamarind chutney, blackberry, black cherry, mulberry, fried peameal bacon & sage. Full body, medium tannins, good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: A lot of heat on the finish due to the high alcohol.

Interesting Things: South Africa is the place to go for inexpensive Rhône varieties.

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

Tasted 18 Jan 12

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 59280

SANTA RITA RESERVA CHARDONNAY, 2009 DDO Casablanca Valley, Chile

19 Thursday Jan 2012

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Santa Rita Chardonnay Reserva 2009, Casablanca Valley Bottle

Cost: $13.95 (on sale $12.45)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Casablanca Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vina Santa Rita
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Bright gold in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: The nose makes this wine feel like a $50 chard. It shows notes of medium toasted oak, buttery, vanilla, lemon meringue pie, caramel covered apples & popcorn. The taste feels like an under $20 chard with more citric & tart notes of lemon rind, lime, green apples, unripe pineapple, light toasted oak & limestone. Medium body with high acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: A little tart on the taste.

Interested Thing: LCBO usually has this wine on sale a couple of times a year.

Drink now & pair it with snow crab & drawn butter.

Tasted: 17 Jan 12

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO#: 348359

CASALVENTO JANUS 2007, IGT Radda, Chianti Italy

17 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $49.00
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caslavento Ss
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: Opaque ruby in colour with medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: Very smooth & complex wine showing notes of black cherry, plums, pomegranate, raspberry, blackberry, anise, cigar box & slate. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, alcohol is well integrated, very long length & balanced.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Thing: Decant for an hour.

Drink now or cellar for another 10 years. Drink on its own or pair it with Filet Mignon.

Tasted: 16 Jan 12.

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO#: 237594

E. Guigal Condrieu 2006, Northern Rhône, Condrieu, France

14 Saturday Jan 2012

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

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Cost:  $52.99
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Appellation: Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Condrieu
Format: 750 ml
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol: 13.5%

Description: Deep golden to amber in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Simply delicious! I hold all viogniers to E. Guigal’s Condrieu. Creamy apricot marmalade, honeysuckle, orange blossom, vanilla, beeswax and lychee.

Negatives: Oxygenated properties have taken hold.

Drink now on its own or pair it with red lumpfish caviar. Even though it’s on it’s down slope, this wine is still delicious.

Interesting Things: If you like nice complex chardonnays you will love this. Due to it’s oxygenated properties it has similar taste to Fiano. 

Tasted: 14 Jan 12

Top Pick

Score:  9.5/10, Value:  9/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4.5