STONEHEDGE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009, Napa Valley

13 Tuesday Sep 2011

Posted by in Red Wines

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Stonehedge Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Napa Valley, Special Vineyard Select Bottle
 
Cost: $23.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stonehedge Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Let me begin to say that there is no way I would have picked this as a Napa Valley Cab on a blind in a million years. My guess would have been Australian Cab. Why? Lots of cooked fruit of plums, cherry, raisins, mint & blueberry pie. Dark ruby colour with medium+ intensity. The taste is dry with medium+ tannins & acid, full body with medium length. The taste is similar to the nose with addition to dark chocolate. This was a disappointment as a Napa Cab, but as a wine it was fine.

Tasted 10 Sept 11.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO:# 25122

BODEGAS CALLIA MAGNA SHIRAZ 2008, Valle de Tulum, Argentina

07 Wednesday Sep 2011

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Bodegas Callia Magna Shiraz 2008, Valle De Tulum, San Juan Bottle

Cost: $15.95 (Sale price: $11.25)
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Argentina
Region: Valle de Tulum, San Juan
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodega Salentein, S.A.
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Dark to almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium nose. A very pleasant nose indeed showing spruce, carnations, cloves, cinnamon, smoked bacon, plums, cherry pie, coconut & vanilla. Very surprised that the nose isn’t bigger, but that’s not a negative for this wine. The taste is as good as the nose with similar notes. It’s dry, medium tannins, medium+ acidity, medium+ length, medium+ body & balanced. This is a nice alternative to Australian Shiraz as it’s a little more restraint than most Australian Shiraz under $20.

This wine taste more like a wine around the $30, so I make it a Best Buy. I bought this on sale at the LCBO for $11.25, which I would classify this as an Amazing Buy. Drink now with Prime Rib or by itself. This wine will can be cellared for another 2-3 years.

Tasted: 7 Sept 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 218818

BERONIA ELABORACIÓN ESPECIAL TEMPRANILLO 2009, Rioja, Spain

05 Monday Sep 2011

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Beronia Elaboración Especial Tempranillo 2009, Doca Rioja Bottle

Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gonzalez Byass & Co.
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description:” Elaboración Especial (special production) refers to the barrel fermentation this wine undergoes over several months in new American oak. This ripe 100% Tempranillo boasts intense plum and licorice notes, with smoky mocha and cigar box characters imparted by the unique production style. Try it with grilled or smoked meats.”(LCBO) You will also find roasted red peppers on both the nose and taste. On the negative, too much heat from the high alcohol.

Tasted: 5 Sept 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO:# 723643

LUCAS & LEWELLEN PINOT NOIR, 2007, Santa Barbara County, California

05 Monday Sep 2011

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Lucas & Lewellen Pinot Noir 2007, Santa Barbara County Bottle

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Santa Barbara
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus garnet in colour & intensity on the nose. The aromas & taste are classic Pinot with beets, rhubarb, Earth notes of fallen leaves, mushrooms & suede. The taste is dry, light tannins, medium acidity, light to medium body, medium length & balanced. Love this wine with pâté or roasted duck. This wine maybe understated in its complexity but definitely delivers on taste. Great price for a really good quality Pinot for under $20. Remember to chill it to 15 C. Drink now.

Best Buy

Tasted 4 Sept 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO:# 127605

RAVENTÓS I BLANC L’HEREU RESERVA BRUT CAVA 2007, Spain

04 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Macabeu 60%, Parellada 20%, Xarello 20%
Category: Sparkling Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Raventos I Blanc
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description:  Sale price: $14.05 Light gold in colour with fine mousse & medium+ intensity. The nose is pleasant showing baked apples, light yeast, biscotti, lemon, peach, pear & limestone. The taste is dry, good acidity, medium length, medium body & balanced. This easy drinking Cava has similar tasting notes as the nose with more pear than peach. High quality Cava for a very reasonable price. This is one if the better Cava’s I’ve tasted. As such I’m putting this in the best by category.

Tasted 4 Sept 11.

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (10/10 sale price), Total: 18+/20.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: #221796

DVERI-PAX TRAMINEC (Traminer), 2007 Slovania

04 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $9.95
Grape Variety:
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Slovenia
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dveri-Pax
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “Someone once described good Traminer as giving you a palate paved with flowers, and this one, from this respected Slovenian winery, does just that. Violets, magnolia blossom and rose petals, plus a bit of lychee all vie for your attention here. Just off-dry, this flavourful wine is quite lovely and would be a worthy partner for spicy Eastern European dishes.” LCBO

Best Buy

Tasted: 1 Sept 11 Score: 8.5+, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO:# 179184

THIRTY BENCH TRIANGLE RIESLING 2008, VQA Beamsville Bench

04 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $30.00
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Andrew Peller Limited
Alcohol: 11.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Sale price $21.05.

Shows petrol & lemon rind. Needs time to age as it’s too linear now.

Tasted: 31 Aug 11

Score: 8/10, Value: 7/10, Total: 15/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO:# 25031

GEORGES DUBOEUF BEAUJOLAIS, BROUILLY, 2008, Brouilly, France,

04 Sunday Sep 2011

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VinGo Image

Cost: $17.05
Grape Variety: Gamay
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Brouilly
Format: 750 mL
Producer: George Duboeuf
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby with a slight purple note. Medium+ intensity showing classic Beaujolais notes of cherry, raspberry & bubble gum. The taste is dry, light tannins, medium minus body, medium acid, medium length and balanced.  The taste is as the nose. This wine is an upgrade to the Beaujolais village and should be drank now. Drink slightly chilled on its own or pair with BLT sandwich.

Tasted: 30 Aug 11

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

LCBO:# 70540

 

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

FONSECA WHITE PORT NV, Douro, Portugal

01 Thursday Sep 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Fortified & Desert Wine

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Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: White Port
Category: Fortified Wine
Appellation: LCBO General Listings
Country: Portugal      
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fonseca Guimaraens Vinhos Sa
Alcohol: 20% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: This is a unique experience to try something different, something that taste good, and not expensive. Light gold in colour, with a medium+ nose intensity. Light toasted almonds, baked apples, some honey, raisins, and caraway scent giving that Sherry note. The taste is sweet, but not overly which pairs nicely with fruit and gelato. There is good acidity, long length and body.  The alcohol is not overly heavy. Taste is similar to the nose with the addition of ginger which cleanses the palate nicely. Make sure you chill this to about 10-12 °C

Best Buy

Tasted: 23 Aug 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 276816

HUTCHESON COLHEITA PORT 1999. DOC Douro, Portugal

01 Thursday Sep 2011

Posted by in Fortified & Desert Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Hutcheson Colheita Port 1999, Doc Douro, Matured In Wood, Btld. 2010 Bottle

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Port Blend
Category: Port
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sogevinus Fine Wine
Alcohol: 20.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: This is pure unadulterated pleasure, and one of my highiest rated wines. Vibrant golden brown with garnet, light+ intensity. Figs, dates, almonds, toffy & raisins predominate on the nose. Silky smooth taste. Dates, mocha, chocolate, wood spice, almonds, some orange peel & figs on taste, as well as woodspice and toffy. I love having this with chilled black chocolate with almonds. For under $30 for 12 yr old is very nice & makes it a Top Pick. Good complexity on nose & taste.

Top Pick

Tasted: 27 Aug 11

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5+/10

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 196832