Peller Estates ICE CUVÉE CLASSIC, VQA Niagara Peninsula

24 Sunday Apr 2011

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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53199_web

Cost: $31.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Peller Estates
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Made in the traditional “méthode” with vidal ice wine dosage (115ml) added.  Clear medium straw colour with Med+ intensity, small and abundant amount of mousse. On the nose I got apple, yeast, kiwi, orange, apricots and lemon marmalade.  The taste is clean, off-dry, medium body, med+ acidity, balanced with med+ length. On the taste there is a lot of orange, especially in the aftertaste, papaya, ripe green apples, lemon marmalade, kiwi and light minerality. I don’t feel this is a sweet sparkling, but the notes of the orange gives a sweet perception on the palate.  Went very well with cheese, tomato, mushroom and onion omelette. 

Tasted: 23 April 2011

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4 

LCBO#53199

Nino Franco BRUT PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE, Doc, Veneto, Italy

24 Sunday Apr 2011

Posted by in Sparkling Wine

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349662_web

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Italy
Region: Prosecco, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Nino Franco
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Clear light straw colour with Med+ intensity, small and abundant amount of mousse. On the nose I got apple, Melba toast, candy fruit, pear and limestone.  The taste is clean, light to medium body, med+ acidity, balanced with med+ length. The taste is like the nose, but there is a little bitter almonds that takes the points down a notch. Still a good buy. Easy to drink on its own or pair with Bruschetta or smoked salmon. 

Tasted: 22 April 2011

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4

LCBO#349662

HOB NOB PINOT NOIR 2008

21 Thursday Apr 2011

Posted by in Red Wines

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Clone_wine_13116_web

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: France       
Region: Vin De Pays D’oc  
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  George Duboeuf
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Description:Dark purple to ruby in colour. On the nose, Med+ intensity, showing prunes, dark cherry, vanilla, mocha, some mushrooms and a little cedar. On the palate, low tannins, med acidity, med to full body, balanced with a med length. Taste is the same as the nose. Not a complex wine, and a little to jammy for my taste in a Pinot. On a blind I would pick this as a California Merlot. This wine is a good introduction to people who don’t know Pinots, or those that don’t like a Burgundian style or as a matter of fact, Oregon and New Zealand’s Central Otago Pinots. Drink this wine now, on its own or with food. Paired well with Marigold Chicken & Exotic Mushroom Ballontine made by Chef Tobias from Red Canoe Bistro in Burlington.

Tasted: 19 April 2011

Score: 6.5/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

LENZ MOSER PRESTIGE GRÜNER VELTLINER 2009

21 Thursday Apr 2011

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

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71233_web

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Grüner Veltliner
Category: White Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Austria      
Region: Niederösterreich  
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Lenz Moser Gesselschaft M.B.H.
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Description:Med straw colour with a slight green tinge. The nose has med+ intensity, and shows green apple, key-lime, grapefruit, limestone, white pepper, thyme and cucumber. On the taste, dry, good acidity, med- body, med+ complex with medium length and well balanced. Taste is like what’s on the nose with the addition of honeydew melon.  Very nice drinking GV. Drink on its own (on a nice spring or summer day by the pool) or with food. Pairs well with Seared Sea Scallops made by Chef Tobias from Red Canoe Bistro in Burlington.

Best Buy

Tasted: 19 April 2011

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#71233

QUADY ESSENSIA ORANGE MUSCAT 2007

21 Thursday Apr 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Fortified & Desert Wine

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299552_web

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Muscat
Category: Desert Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: California
Region:  
Format: 375 mL
Producer:  Quady Winery
Alcohol: 15% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Ripe apricot colour, high intensity nose showing apricots, fermented tangerine, butterscotch, ginger and vanilla. On the taste, good acidity, full body desert wine that shows as the nose does. On the sweetness scale it’s not as sweet as Ice Wine on the palate, so pare it well with deserts that are not overly sweet such as Maple Citrus Tart made by Chef Tobias from Red Canoe Bistro in Burlington.

For the price this is a Best Buy.

Tasted: 19 April 2011

Score: 8/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#299552

SIERRA CANTABRIA COLECCIÓN PRIVADA 2006 RIOJA

19 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by in Red Wines

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Dsc06124_web

Cost: $49.00
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sierra Cantabria
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark purple/ruby with highly intense nose. Purple lilacs, sandalwood, cedar & pine, cloves, blueberry, mulberry, dark cherry, pipe tobacco, dark chocolate & eucalyptus (due to the high alcohol). Highly complex nose, almost reminds me of a good quality Napa Meritage. On the taste less complex & a let down from the nose (absolutely love the nose). Dry, med+ acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, long length, med+ body & balanced. Shows cedar, blueberry, mulberry, dark & sour cherry, leather, fennel & pomegranate. It lost points for noticeable high alcohol on taste & a let down from nose to taste. It could have been an outstanding wine, but now it’s just a good one. Bought it on sale for $34.35.

Tasted 18 April 2011.

Score: 9/10, Value: 6/10 (7.5/10 sale price), Total: 15/20 & 16.5/20 respectively. FYI nose is a 10/10.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO# 195735

CATHEDRAL CELLAR, TRIPTYCH, 2007

18 Monday Apr 2011

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

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53124_web

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety:
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: KWV
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby colour, with med+ intensity. True cab Sauvignon notes of cedar, turmeric, blackberry, plum, smokey notes, earth tones, high complexity on nose. Truly a beautiful nose. Taste is medium tannins with medium acid. Full body, easy to drink with or without food. Taste shows anise, blueberry, cassis, raspberry, plums, bacon & some earth tones like leather. Med+ length. KWV consistently produced excellent value wines & this doesn’t disappoint.

Score: 9.5, Value: 10, total: 19.5

Best Buy

Tasted: April 2011

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

DÔLE DU VALAIS 2007, Swiss Valley. Pinot Noir & Gamay

18 Monday Apr 2011

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

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160697_web

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Switzerland
Region: Swiss Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Provins
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour. High intensity on nose. Love the aromas of cherry, cranberry, rhubarb, light milk chocolate mousse, earth tones with roses. On taste med- body, med+ length, low tannins & med acidity leads to a well balanced & excellent priced Pinot. Flavours as with the nose with addition of pomegranates & juicy red apples. I like the fact that this wine is not high in alcohol. Very food friendly, pairs well with Quail, lamb, pork & tuna. Also very pleasant on it’s own. Bought it on sale for $13.35, but even regular price still a Best Buy. Drink now.

Score: 9+/10 Value: 10/10, Total: 19+/20. One of the best light Pinot’s I’ve tried for under $20.

Tasted 17 April 2011.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#160697

SEAVIEW BRUT, Sparkling Wine

15 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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216333_web

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety:
Category: Sparkling Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Australia
Region: South Eastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Seaview Winery
Alcohol: 11.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: NV sparkling wine made from typical champagne blend of three grapes – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Deep bright gold colour, lots of mousse with light yeasty nose and taste. On the nose, baked apple, apricot, pear & lemon. Good balance and acidity on the taste. Med+ weight & length. Med complex. Easy to drink. Taste is similar to nose. Went well with Speck or garlic cheese spread.

For the price this a Best Buy. Score: 8.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20

Tasted 14 April 2011

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO# 216333

THE PAIRING, RED, 2006 Santa Ynez Valley

12 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by in Red Wines

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218909_web

Cost: $32.95
Grape Variety: Cab.-sauv./merlot/petit verdot
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cool Hand Vineyards Llc
Alcohol: 15.2% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque inky ruby colour, med+ intensity, I can smell the vapors of alcohol. Cedar, cassis, blackberry, menthol, basil, cigar box. High complexity showing warm climate style. Taste has med+ tannins, med acid, balanced, full body, with high alcohol. Taste is mild compared to the nose. Cedar, black currants, some cranberry, leather notes, twiggy, spinach which gives it a bit of a green bite. Not worth the price. Score: 7, Value: 4, Total: 11/20 After being opened up for 2hrs, the nose is more fragrant with carnations & blueberry pie. On taste it was still linear, but does open up with mulberry & dark cherry. The spinach turns more to artichoke. Long finish. Score improves a bit, 7.5. Nose is 9.5

52% cab, 42% merlot, 6% petit verdot

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO# 218909