CAPE LANDING RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2019, Margaret River, Australia

27 Monday Feb 2023

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $34.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cape Landing
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Made in Chablis style having clean, clear, bright notes with lots of citric fruit. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Clear bright light gold in colour with high acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, orange, kiwi, marzipan, limestone & white flower on the nose.

Negatives: $10 over priced

Interesting Point: Use Chablis style glassware

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7years, on its own or pair it with smoked trout.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 26, 2023

VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2021, AOP Coteaux D’Aix en Provence, France

19 Sunday Feb 2023

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

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Cost: $20.95 (Clearance price: $16.75)
Grape: 60% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 5% Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Coteaux D’Aix en Provence
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Le Vins Bréban
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant, generous, very dry and delicious. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, cranberry, honeydew melon, clementines, Fuji Apples, white peach, clay minerality & red roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The vineyards of the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence are the most westerly of the wines of Provence.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years, on its own or pair it with Charcuterie.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: February 14, 2023

LCBO: 668426

SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT RESERVA CAVA, NV, Método Tradicional, DO Cava, Spain

18 Saturday Feb 2023

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

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until Feb 26, 2023: $14.95)
Grape: 50% Macabeo, 30% Xarel·lo, 20% Parellada
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Segura Viudas
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably my favourite inexpensive sparkling wine as it features fruitiness, freshness and complexity. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pear, pitaya, Granny apples, peach, & fresh cut carnations on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Autolysis of the yeast cells in the base wine for 3 months before bottling, and a second autolysis of the yeast cells for a minimum of 15 months ageing in bottle.” Winery. Really like the new

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years, on its own or pair it with Porcini mushroom risotto.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: February 12, 2023

LCBO: 216960

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST MERLOT 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Tuesday Feb 2023

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice wine, a little over-priced & needs time to soften. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, green tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, raspberry, pomegranate, cocoa powder, vanilla & graphite.

Negatives: High alcohol

Interesting Point: “This wine spent 20 months in oak, with 30% of it being new barrels.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years, on its own or pair it with Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 13, 2023

ALBINO ARMANI 1607 CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE, NV, DOCG Valdobbiadene, Prosecco Superiore, Veneto, Italy

07 Tuesday Feb 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: $15.20)
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Italy
Region: Valdobbiadene, Prosecco Superiore, Veneto
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Albino Armani
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant, delicious extra-dry Prosecco at a great price. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pear, Granny apples, pink grapefruit, apricot & roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years, on its own or pair it with Parmigiano Reggiano.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 5, 2023

LCBO: 16602

FREIXENET ITALIAN ROSÉ EXTRA DRY SPARKLING WINE, NV, Charmat Method, Italy

31 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $15.40)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Italy
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Freixenet
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but very pleasant, easy drinking sparkling wine with fresh fruit. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Pink/salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, raspberry, MacIntosh apples, lemon zest & roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Beautiful bottle

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years, on its own or pair it with Roasted Salmon and Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 29, 2023

LCBO: 11222

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PET NAT CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

26 Thursday Jan 2023

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

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This isn’t half bad, but I wouldn’t pay the price for it. A simple Brut frizzante. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Cloudy yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a light intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, grapefruit, sour bread, yeast, kumquat, Jonagold apples & limestone.

Negatives: The price

Interesting Point: “This was made in the “Petillant Natural” or “Pet Nat” style. Fermented only using indigenous yeast, it was bottled down near the end of fermentation to capture natural CO2 gas bubbles. No additions have been made to this wine and it remains sur lie (with lees) to protect its integrity, structure and ageability.”

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with rippled potato chips with dill/onion dip.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 24, 2023

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced showing citric fruit & spiciness. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Light yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pineapple, peach, apples, pear, caramel, vanilla, oak spice

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 2020 was a great vintage year for Ontario wines.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with snow crab lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 16 & August 21, 2022

LUNDY MANOR WINE CELLARS PROPRIETOR’S RED 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Friday Jan 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: 51.4% Cab Franc, 27.7% Merlot, 14.5% Syrah, 6.3% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Tied for best Canadian red wine with Lundy Manor’s 2016 Red. Drinking like a nicely aged Bordeaux. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, dried cranberries, raspberry, blueberry, plum, baby spinach, white & black pepper & shale.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 18 months in French oak.

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with Slow Cooker Beef Cheeks in Red Wine.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: January 9, 2023

LCBO: 20188

MON FRÈRE PINOT NOIR 2018, California, United States of America

07 Saturday Jan 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $ 21.99 KYD
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mon Frère
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

I love it when I get impressed by a California Pinot that’s not high in alcohol, not made in the commercial & it’s under $25. This Pinot is made more like in the Willamette Valley style, & it is elegant, bright & well made. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, some plum, rhubarb, clove & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: ‘A blend of Sonoma Coast vineyards, Santa Rita Hills Vineyards in Santa Barbara and Santa Lucia Highlands and Vineyards in Monterey. A full spectrum of Pinot Noir clones are represented in this wine.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with roasted duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: January 5, 2023