TRIVENTO AMADO SUR MALBEC/BONARDA/SYRAH 2009, Mendoza, Argentina

08 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in Red Wines

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Trivento Amado Sur Malbec/Bonarda/Syrah 2009, Mendoza Bottle

Cost: $15.00
Grape Variety: 72% Malbec, 16% Bonarda and 12% Syrah.
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Argentina
Region: Medoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trivento Bodegas Y Vinedos
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Deep ruby in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Bramble fruit, cedar, blueberry, oregano & all spice on the nose. Taste shows blueberry, dark cherry, blackberry, plums, oregano, all spice & radish with spinach in the finish. Medium+ body, medium+ tannins, medium+ acidity & a very long length.

Negatives: A little too austere & green on the finish.

Interesting Thing: Thank you POA staff at Brantford (Mena, Sue, Roger & Jay; who picked the wine out, for providing me the wine.

Drink now or cellar for another 2-3 years. Pair it with protein foods like steak to smooth out the tannins & herbaceous notes.

Tasted: 6 Jan 12

Score: 8.5+, Value: 8.5+, Total: 18/20.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 37036

J. LOHR RIVERSTONE CHARDONNAY, 2010 Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California

08 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: J Lohr Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “Bright medium-yellow Chardonnay with an enticing toasty/fruity nose (particularly apricot, apple and cranberry). Dry and quite clean with pretty oak tones surrounding the fruit. Medium-full bodied with a medium finish. An ideal Chardonnay for grilled herbed chicken or smoky prawns with mango salsa.” LCBO

Bright gold in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Tropical flavours of pineapple, mango, orange, bananas, honeydew melon & lemon with medium oak & buttered popcorn. Full body, good acidity, balanced with medium+ length & moderate alcohol.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Things: If you want a good drinking buttery Chard with moderate alcohol & under $20, you can’t beat this wine. Drink from new world Chard glass & don’t over chill it.

Drink now on its own or pair it with steak & lobster. Chris Ruth’s Steak House comes to mind.

Tasted: 5 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 258699

LOUIS JADOT BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY, 2010 Burgundy, France

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in White Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Louis Jadot
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “Long-time Jadot winemaker Jacques Lardière is not one to rest on his laurels. Even with this terrific-value Bourgogne Chardonnay, he creates a wonderfully versatile wine. Aromas of almond, toffee apple, lemon, pear and toasty oak are prominently on display. Dry, richly textured with a long finish, it is a textbook example of how well oak and fruit flavours can mingle. A fine partner for roasted vegetables and chicken breast.” LCBO

Light to medium+ gold in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Lemon/lime, grapefruit, limestone, light oak & pear. Medium bodily, high acidity & medium length.

Negatives: A lot of tartness & taste is muted.

Interested Things: Chill it to ice wine temperature to dull the tartness.

Cellar it for 2 years to see if the acidity comes down. Pair it with lemon pepper cat fish.

Tasted: 3 Jan 12

Score: 8/10, Value: 7.5/10, Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LCBO#: 933077

SIBLING RIVALRY WHITE VQA, 2010 Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Henry Of Pelham Sibling Rivalry White 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula Bottle

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Riesling, Chardonnay & Gewürztraminer
Category: Still Table Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry Of Pelham Family Est. Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ straw in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Lychee, peach, pear & apricot on the nose. The taste is similar as the nose with additions of pink grapefruit, lemon & limestone. Medium body, high acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: Too much tartness on the taste.

Interesting Thing: Don’t over chill this wine as it will dull the aromatic notes.

Drink now & pair it with spinach salad with raspberry dressing. Good palate cleanser.

Tasted: 3 Jan 12

Score: 8.5, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCB0#: 126144

RAVENSWOOD VINTNERS BLEND OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, 2009 California

03 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Red Wines

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Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel (V) 2009, California Bottle

Cost: $17.95 (on sale $15.95)
Grape Variety: Zinfandel
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ravenswood Lynn Rogers
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “Ravenswood recognized early on that Zinfandel was an exceptional grape variety for fine wine production. With seductive aromas of spice, black raspberry, and mocha, their Vintners Blend Zin is ready for any occasion. Soft and round with lots of fruit and cocoa flavour, it’s terrific with spicy jerk pork, or barbecued beef ribs basted in a homemade sauce.” LCBO

Medium+ purple to ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Notes of raisins, blueberry, mocha, allspice, raspberry & touch of vanilla. Medium body, good acidity, medium tannins & medium+ length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Things: This is not your powerhouse Zin with high alcohol, which will appeal to those that like Zins but don’t want it as the main course for dinner.

Easy drinking on its own or pair it with venison.

Tasted: 2 Jan 12

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 9/10 (on sale 10/10), Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 359257

2011 in review

02 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in White Wines

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The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,300 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 38 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

GOATS DO ROAM RED, 2010 Western Cape, South Africa

02 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $12.95 (On sale for $11.95)
Grape Variety: Shiraz, Cinsaut, Carignan, Mourvèdre & Pinotage
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Fairview Trust
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: “Immensely popular worldwide, this cheeky Rhône-style blend (Shiraz, Cinsaut, Carignan and Mourvèdre with a dash of the local Pinotage) has proven to be more than just a witty name. It’s a friendly, straightforward and fun wine featuring berry fruit and plum aromas with some pepper and leather in the background. A fantastic value and a great party wine! Lovely with rich meat-based pasta dishes.” LCBO

Medium+ ruby to purple with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: The nose shows carnations, plums, blackberries, pomegranate, star anise, sandalwood, eucalyptus & cherry pie. The taste is rich showing similar notes as the nose with plums being dominant. Medium to medium+ body, low tannins, medium acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: High alcohol that you can detect on the nose & taste.

Interesting Thing: The name is a take off Côte du Rhône and its style. Consistent year to year. Periodically the LCBO puts this wine on sale for $1 off.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lamb chops.

Tasted: 1 Jan 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Score: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 718940

NICOLAS FEUILLATTE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2003, Chouilly, France

02 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Champagne

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Nicolas Feuillatte Rosé Brut Champagne 2008, Ac Bottle

Cost: $56.95
Grape Variety: 60% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay
Category: Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: France
Region: Chouilly, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Nicolas Feuillatte
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description:Copper in colour with medium to medium+ nose.

Positives: Fine mousse, clean, oxidative style of Champagne with orange rind, baked apples, strawberries & freshly baked Angel Food cake.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Note: A nice Champagne to bring in the New Year for breakfast.

Drink now on its own or serve it with spicy tomato and onion omelet.

Tasted: 1 Jan 12

Score: 9/10, Value: 7/10, Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 267039 (Note: 2003 vintage is no longer in the stores, however you can find the non-vintage of this champagne.)

PAHLMEYER CHARDONNAY 2009, Napa Valley, California

02 Monday Jan 2012

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

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Pahlmeyer Chardonnay 2009, Napa Valley Bottle

Cost: $79.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pahlmeyer
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Lemon gold in colour with medium to medium intensity in the nose.

Positives: Wow! The taste just keep coming in waves. Medium toasted oak with lots of butter, butterscotch, lemon meringue pie, apple, ginger, limestone, peach, mango, tangerine, pineapple, Jicama, naseberry & lemon grass on the finish. The wine is highly complex, full body, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: High alcohol.

Interesting Things: This is my wife’s wine of choice for our New Years Eve dinner & I wholeheartedly agree.

Drink now or cellar it for another 5-7 years. Drink on its own or pair it with roasted hens.

Tasted: 31 Dec 11

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8/10, Score: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO:# 147454

RABL KAMPTAL RESERVE VINUM OPTIMUM GRÜNER VELTLINER 2009, Langenlois, Austria

02 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Rudolf Rabl Reserve Vinum Optimum Grüner Veltliner 2009, Dac Kamptal Bottle

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Grüner veltliner
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Austria
Region: Langenlois
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Weingut Rudolph Rabl
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with medium intense nose.

Positives: One of the better Grüner Veltliners you will find featuring pear, white pepper, lime, grapefruit & slate. Medium body with good acidity & long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair with grilled scallops wrapped in bacon.

Tasted: 24 Dec 11

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 216473