CHATEAU HAUT BERNASSE MONBAZILLAC, 2003

12 Tuesday Apr 2011

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

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 Château Haut-Bernasse

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety:
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Southwest France
Format: 500 mL
Producer: Jules Et Marie Villette
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: TASTING NOTE: This sweetie won a Silver Medal at Concours Général Agricole de Paris, 2010. Bright, deep yellow-gold in the glass, with gorgeous aromas of peach purée, ripe mango, dried apricot, honeycomb and floral. It’s sweet, with a pretty seam of acidity keeping things lively. Full body, and a decadent, unctuous texture. Simply scrumptious. Ready to drink now, expect it to show well for 15+ years. Savour with (or as) dessert, or with milder aged cheeses. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2010)

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

These are my personal tasting notes:
Colour is bright old gold. What a beautiful nose, with ripe peach, apricot, cinnamon, nutmeg, mango, orange rind & roses. Taste is sweet, but not overtly. Good acidity, long length & balanced. Taste as nose. Pairs well with chocolate orange mousse. Best Buy.

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

Tasted 11 April 2011.

LCBO# 194225

THE PAIRING, PINOT NOIR, 2008, Sta. Rita Hills

12 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by in Red Wines

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218958_web

Cost: $32.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cool Hand Vineyards Llc
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Med garnet, med+ intensity on the nose. A lot going on with rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry, pine, allspice, violets & earth tones. On the palate, dry, soft tannins, med+ acidity, med- weight, balanced, long length. Rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry, pomegranate, cherry, suede, pine & light earth tones. Complex wine, good quality. Food friendly or drink on it’s own. Compliments turkey well. Score: 9+/10, value: 8+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Tasted: 8 April 2011

LCBO #218958

Montecillo Reserva 2006, Rioja

12 Tuesday Apr 2011

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621003_web

Cost: $18.45
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Osborne Y Cia
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Med ruby with a slight garnet colour. Nose & taste are classic Rioja Reserva, with med+ intensity of sandalwood, smoked meat, dark cherries, sweet basil & carnations. On the palate, good acidity, med tannins, balanced, med body, long length. Like the nose, sandalwood, smoked meat, sweet basil, cedar, black currants, dark & sour cherry. Overall med+ complexity that you can drink now or age for another 3-5yrs. Best with food such as smoked sausages or grilled lamb. Score: 8.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20. For the price this a best buy. Solid wine from a solid winery.

Tasted 11 April 2011

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO #621003

Luca Chardonnay, 2008

11 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $28.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Argentina
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Puerto Ancona Sa/Luca
Alcohol: 14.0 %

LCBO#: 167338

Tasted: 9 April 2011
Description: Bright gold colour, med+ intensity with lemon tarts, vanilla, pineapple, mango, white lilies & limestone. Med+ complexity on the nose. On the taste good acidity, full body, some heat in the after taste, long length & balanced. Creamy buttery mouth feel, vanilla, lemon meringue, pineapple, cantaloupe, mango, orange, limestone. More complex on the taste than the nose. Medium oak on nose & taste. Easy drinking Chard from a reliable producer.

Highly recommend.

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 18/20. I got it on sale for $23.15, which raised the value to 9.5/10

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5