GRAHAM BECK BRUT SPARKLING NV, Western Cape, South Africa

05 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $22.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Graham Beck
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp clean, fruit driven dry sparkling wine. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast & toasted bread, lemon zest, peach, Fuji apples, saline, pink grapefruit & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with salt n pepper calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 4, 2022

LCBO: 593483

DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL HERES 2015, AC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France

03 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $106.00
Grape: Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine du Grand Tinel
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a heavy wine considering the high alcohol, but a very powerful wine on the nose, yet elegant on the taste. Should please those with eclectic taste. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, grilled plum, black tea, Kalamon olives, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, crushed gravel & wild mushrooms on the nose.

Negatives: 15.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: “Issued from very old vines grown on ‘La Gardole’ quarter, on a sandy soil, conducted without pesticides and by hand-harvest. Produced in exceptional vintages only. Very limited production.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Porchetta.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 2, 2022

LCBO: 24741

FOLKLORE CHARDONNAY 2019, Western Australia

01 Thursday Dec 2022

Posted by in Not Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $17.95 (Clearance Price: $12.60)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Western Australia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Folklore
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Horrible, like biting into over ripe orange. Score: Not worth to score.

Not recommended

Tasted: November 1, 2022

LCBO: 19905

GRAND VIN DU CHÂTEAU CITRAN 2010, AC Haut-Médoc, France

30 Wednesday Nov 2022

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $55.00 (Clearance Price: $38.55)
Grape: 55% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Haut-Médoc
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Citran
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a wine with plenty of expression that is elegant, fine and racy. Still several more years left to enjoy this wine. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, plush tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, mulberry, blackcurrant, sautéed Oyster mushrooms, tar, cocoa, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, baby spinach, graphite & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Thermoregulation on each tank. Traditional vinification (T 28°C). Malolactic fermentations partially made in new barrels. 38% of new barrels in French oak. Traditional ageing with racking every three months. Fining with white eggs. Bottling at the Château.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with venison.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 29, 2022

LCBO: 24738

GRAHAM BECK ULTRA BRUT 2016, Méthode Cap Classique, Western Cape, South Africa

28 Monday Nov 2022

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Graham Beck
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality, complexity, dry but creamy & at under $30, this would best those Blanc de Blancs at $100+. Score: 99/100. My highest score for a Blanc de Blancs.

Tasting Note: Light gold to straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Brioche, yeast, sour dough, lemon, Key lime pie, Jonagold apples, peach, pear, Ataulfo mango, honeydew melon, roasted almonds & shale.

Negatives:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with caviar.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 27, 2022

LCBO: 435453

ANTECH CUVÉE EUGÉNIE BRUT CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX 2018, AC Limoux, Languedoc, France

17 Thursday Nov 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $23.95
Grape: 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin, 10% Mauzac
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Limoux, Languedoc
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Maison Antech
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of my favourite Limouxs. Fresh, clean & creamy. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, green apples, honeydew melon, white peach, limestone, & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Spanish omelette.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: November 10, 2022

LCBO: 25367

CELLIER DES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE GRENACHE SYRAH 2019, AC Côtes du Rhône, France

13 Sunday Nov 2022

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Grenache 40% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Rhône
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cellier des Dauphins
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Has a fruit sweetness that I personally don’t like, but others may. Score: 79/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, raspberry, red currant, Maraschino cherry, chocolate, tobacco, white pepper & ripe tamarind.

Negatives:

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 -4 years on its own or pair it with Italian sausages.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: November 10, 2022

LCBO: 14081

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY TOM THOMSON WHITE CANOE 2108, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

09 Wednesday Nov 2022

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $22.95
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

I am normally a traditionalist when it comes to white wine, meaning I’m not crazy when it comes to several blends of white grapes in a wine, but this one was pretty good. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, passion fruit, Dragon fruit, kumquat, & lemon rind.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The Tom Thomson art gallery (The Tom) is a national cultural attraction dedicated to the innovation and spirit of the iconic artist Tom Thomson (1877-1917) whose artwork has been described as being the “visual equivalent of our national anthem”. This wine was created by the Niagara College Teaching Winery in honour of the 50th anniversary of The Tom and 100th anniversary of Thomson’s untimely and mysterious death at Canoe Lake.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 -4 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: November 8, 2022

CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ GIERSBERGER BRUT, NV, Champenoise Tradition, AC Crêmant d’Alsace, France

08 Tuesday Nov 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $15.40)
Grape: 80% Pinot Blanc, 20 % Auxerrois
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cave de Ribeauville
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice dry sparkling wine with crispness & flavour. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sourdough bread, lemon zest, green apples, pear & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Vineyard on hillsides entirely harvested by hand on the famous geological fault of Ribeauvillé, which offers an incredible diversity of terroirs.
Made in the purest respect of the traditional method with whole harvests and 12 months of aging on slats.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with salt and pepper calamari.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 6, 2022

LCBO: 183624

RICASOLI ALBIA ROSÉ 2021, IGT Toscana, Italy

02 Wednesday Nov 2022

Posted by in On The Fence, Rosés

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: 13.30)
Grape: Sangiovese, Merlot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Toscana
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ricasoli
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A sour style rosé but with lots of citric flavours. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, passion fruit, dragon fruit, green pear, lime & clay.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with salt n pepper chicken wings.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: November 1, 2022

LCBO: 556266