ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2019, DOC Controguerra, Abruzzo, Italy

12 Saturday Mar 2022

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale Price until March 27, 2022: $11.95)
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Controguerra, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Azienda Agricola Dino Illuminati
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good table wine. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, licorice, arugula, thyme & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the smaller Sangiovese or Tempranillo glassware

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with pizza.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 11, 2022

LCBO: 269985

ALVI’S DRIFT CHARDONNAY 2020, Western Cape, South Africa

07 Monday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvi’s Drift Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

For an inexpensive Chard, this one packs a lot of flavour & crispness. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, lime, pineapple, peach, apricot, kumquat, oak spice, ginger & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The vineyards are grown using a philosophy of
sustainability and minimal intervention and are fertilized with natural compost produced on the farm. Only the premium free run juice was used for this wine which was fermented in stainless steel tanks as well as lightly oaked. Left several months on lees before the wine was fined, stabilized and bottled.” AD

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with South Africa Chutney Chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 6, 2022

LCBO: 21151

PELEE ISLAND WINERY VINEDRESSER CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA South Islands, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Mar 2022

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: South Islands, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good value for a full flavoured Ontario Chard that isn’t overly ripe & balanced. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, quince, apple, pear, butterscotch, marzipan, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with scallops with steak spice on a bed of spaghettini.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 2, 2022

LCBO: 492462

RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2017, DOC Rioja, Spain

02 Wednesday Mar 2022

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Principe De Viana, S.L.
Alcohol: 14.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good value for a full flavoured classic Crianza. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherry, raspberry, plum, licorice, cloves, cinnamon, leather, tobacco leaves & sandalwood.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with slow cooked lamb curry.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 1, 2022

LCBO: 471854

REDE RESRVA 2016, DOC Douro, Portugal

01 Tuesday Mar 2022

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quinta de Rede
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, delicious wine that is juicy with spiciness all at a great price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, licorice, thyme, raisin, cassis, Star Anise, leather, tobacco leaves,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Partial aging in French oak wood for 6 months. The oldest historical records of Quinta da Rede are from 1484. It is part of the Douro wine region even before the demarcation of 1756. The Quinta overlooks the Douro River, on its right bank, between Mesão Frio and Régua, an altitude between 90 to 140 meters.” QR

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Feb 28, 2022

LCBO: 431262

KACABA CABERNET 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Sunday Feb 2022

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Cost: $15.95 (Sale Price until Feb 27, 2022: $13.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Hard to find a half decent Ontario red wine for under $16 & this one scores a hit. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium dark ruby with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Blackcurrant, black cherry, plum, blackberry, sage, chocolate, turmeric, pencil shavings, cloves, vanilla & light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan friendly

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Feb 26, 2022

LCBO: 499384

13th STREET WINERY WINE CLUB GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Feb 2022

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Gewurztraminer
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A light style GW dominated by grapefruit. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with a green tinge in colour, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Grapefruit, lychee, ginger & pear

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with jerk honey chicken wings

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 23, 2022

STEORRA PÉTILLANT NATUREL SPARKLING WINE 2016, Monterey County, California, United States of America

21 Monday Feb 2022

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

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $28.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Copper Cane Wines by Joe Wagner
Alcohol: 12.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic vintage Champagne Blanc de Blancs style. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with a fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour bread dough, brioche, lemon curd, green apples, toasted almonds, pear, peach, honeycomb & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Joe Wagner used only naturally occurring sugar of Chardonnay from one vineyard & each bottle is numbered. This one is: 03.521

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Quiche Lorraine

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick


Tasted: Feb 20, 2022
LCBO: 20177

CAMBRIA KATHERINE’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018, Santa Maria Valley, California, United States of America

19 Saturday Feb 2022

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Santa Maria Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cambria Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Chard with alcohol under 14.5% & it doesn’t break the bank. Taste like lemon meringue pie with spiciness. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with a green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue pie, peach, pineapple, mango, tangerine, lemon zest, dill, ginger, oak spice, buttered toast & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Women lead, women owned certified sustainable winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermador.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick
Tasted: Feb 17, 2022
LCBO: 980490


LES GRANDS MERISIERS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012, AOC Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France

17 Thursday Feb 2022

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Red blend including Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mouvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages (No Longer Available)
Country: France
Region: Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: M. Chapoutier
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

This 10-year Châteauneuf-Du-Pape is drinking perfectly. Score: 98/100

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, raisins, dry figs, black cherries, ripe tamarind, Portobello Mushrooms, cinnamon, cloves, white pepper, peppercorn, smoke & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Recommend decanting as this wine just keeps opening up.

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with Wagyu steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Feb 16, 2022

LCBO: 421073 (No longer at LCBO)