SMOKY BAY BUTTERY CHARDONNAY OPULENCE COLLECTION, NV, Australia

18 Thursday Sep 2025

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Oct 12, 2025: $12.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Smoky Bay
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An entry Aussy Chard that’s has character, good value, but it’s not overtly buttery. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, orange zest, peach, pear, green apples & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t use glassware for oaked Chard as it will show more flatness than using a Chablis style glassware.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: September 17, 2025

LCBO: 40373

WESTCOTT VINEYARDS BLOCK 76 CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

04 Thursday Sep 2025

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

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Cost: $50.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Top quality Canadian Chard that is bold & beautiful without the high alcohol. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, apple, pear, peach, mango, sweet corn, dill, ginger, oak spice, butterscotch & buttery.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Handpicked. Whole cluster pressed. Barrel fermented in neutral oak. All wild fermented & MLF. Barrel aged 16 months with no stirring. Bottle unfiltered.” Winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 28, 2025

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY LES MARMITONS NIAGARA GASTRONOMY PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2024, VAQ St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Saturday Aug 2025

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

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice sour base rosé. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, rhubarb & cranberry.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with Chinese food.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 18, 2025

KACABA FOUNDER’S SELECT CABERNET/SYRAH 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

12 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $69.95
Grape: 39.6% Syrah, 30.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30.2% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Ontario red that will show its true caliber in years to come. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, mulberry, plum, cassis, Star Anise, white pepper, Radicchio & arugula.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged 16 months in French & American oak.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 6 – 8 years on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 7, 2025

QUEENSTON MILE SMALL BATCH RESERVE ROSÉ 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

08 Friday Aug 2025

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 50% Cabernet, 50% Pinot Meunier
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best rosés without the high cost. This delicious off-dry rosé is full flavoured & juicy. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Rosé red in colour with good acidity, a medium intense+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing Cherries, Fuji Apples & strawberries.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The use of 50% Pinot Meunier, a grape used in Champagne.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with chicken wings

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 7, 2025

BARON DE LEY RIOJA RESERVA 2019, DOC Rioja, Spain

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Baron De Ley
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja reserva with nice fruits & spice. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense+ nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, black currants, mulberry, blackberries, raspberry, Allspice, cassis & cinnamon.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged for a minimum of 20 months in oak casks & then matured in bottle to complete its evolution.”

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 24, 2025

LCBO:  23760

RIDGE ROAD ESTATE WINERY CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Ontario, Canada

20 Sunday Jul 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ridge Road Estate Winery Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Straddles between flabby & crisp. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Medium yellow in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, yellow plum, golden apples & marzipan.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I bought the last bottle at the winery (sorry).

Winemaker’s Note: “Fermented & aged in French Oak with 100% malolactic fermentation at the end.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Satay.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: July 19, 2025

RIDGE ROAD ESTATE WINERY GAMAY NOIR 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

16 Wednesday Jul 2025

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ridge Road Estate Winery Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality made Gamay with tart fruit & spice. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, cranberry, rhubarb, strawberry, black pepper, cloves & cassis.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 14, 2025

SOUTHBROOK ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Monday Jul 2025

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

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Cost: $47.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Ontario Chard that can compete with the best Chards in the world. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon rind, quince, white cranberry, yellow & green apples, ginger, dill, cloves, oak spice & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic & Biodynamic

Winemaker’s Note: “Whole bunch pressed to cold settle in tank. Racked to ferment wild in barrel and receiving full malolactic conversion. After ten months elevage in French oak barrels (30% new).

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Steamed Lobster & drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 11, 2025

KACABA IRRESISTIBLE JOANNE’S BLEND SPARKLING ROSÉ 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

11 Friday Jul 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A refreshing off-dry sparkling rosé perfect for the patio. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Pink in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, Bing cherries, rhubarb & MacIntosh apples

Negatives: On the pricy side.

Interesting Point: Make sure the wine is very cold to bring out the freshness of the fruit.

Winemaker’s Note: Charmat method

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Korean BBQ chicken wings.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 6, 2025