CALLAWAY CELLAR SELECTION CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

13 Friday Aug 2021

Posted by in Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 93% Chardonnay, 5% Viognier, 2% French Colombard
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Callaway Cellars
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A Cali Chard that is not overtly flabby or having high alcohol. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pineapple, green apple, banana, butterscotch, coconut, vanilla & oak spice.

Negatives: Aggressive with too much banana & butterscotch for my taste.

Interesting Point: Aged 6 months in 90% American oak & 10% unoaked

This might be the lowest alcohol Cali Chard that I’ve ever tasted.

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

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: Aug 12, 2021

LCBO: 18627

CHÂTEAU DE NAGES JT 2018, AOP Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, Frane

04 Wednesday Aug 2021

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: 70% Roussanne, 15% Viognier, 15% Grenache Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Costières de Nîmes, Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Nages
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Big, bold & beautiful, very Montrachet in style without being a Chard. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon pie, lemon zest, apricot, peach, orange pith, pineapple, golden apples, granny apples, pear, honey, vanilla with orange blossoms & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the larger Montrachet glassware and don’t over chill it to bring out all that this wine has to offer.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Mahi-mahi ceviche with pineapple salsa.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Aug 2, 2021

LCBO: 485854

MONTEMAJOR EQUINOX LIMITED EDITION 2017, IGT Campania, Italy

03 Tuesday Aug 2021

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Aglianico and Piedirosso
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Campania
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Montemajor
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious wine that is fresh, smooth with lots of fruits & spiciness. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberry, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, aged balsamic, licorice, cinnamon, Allspice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The name Equinox, comes from the Latin aequa-nox which literally means equal night, as this is one of the two solely days in which night and day have the same length. EQUINOX recalls the period of harvest of this wine, when summer ends letting autumn taking its course. The grapes were harvested during the Fall Equinox on 21 September 2017.

Although I enjoyed this wine in a variety of wine glasses, the Sangiovese/Riesling glassware won out.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Mussels Marinara with Linguine

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 31, 2021

LCBO: 19027

BENZIGER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Sonoma County, United States of America

27 Tuesday Jul 2021

Posted by in White Wines

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Cost: $27.95 (Clearance Price: $22.40)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Benziger Family Winery
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality Sonoma County Cab Sauv that is under $30, and under 14.5% alcohol that brings nice fruits & spice. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberry, blueberry, cherry, raspberry, mocha, cinnamon, Allspice vanilla, turmeric, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Benziger Winery is certified sustainable

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Skirt Steak with Corn and Red Pepper Puree

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at the clearance price

Tasted: July 26, 2021

LCBO: 597237

CHEVALIER MONOPOLE DRY ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, France

25 Sunday Jul 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: White & Red Grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Chevalier
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant, easy drinking off-dry rosé sparkling wine with substance & a nice flowery nose. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberries, Fuji apples, raspberry, sweet cherries, cranberries & roses on the nose.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Natural fermentation in VAT with an aging of 3 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with baked Brie with raspberries.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 25, 2021

LCBO: 485920

CELENE AMÉTHYSTE BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS, Méthode Traditionnelle, NV, AOP Crémant de Bordeau, France

21 Wednesday Jul 2021

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Celene Bordeaux
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A creamy dry sparkling wine that shows a lot considering this wine is under $18 & made in the traditional method. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, brioche, yeast, green apples, pears, redcurrants, clementine, kiwi & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Celene’s sparkling wine bottles are stored in underground cellars dug in the 18th century in the limestone rock of the Right Bank of the Garonne. In these galleries, which are naturally thermoregulated at 13°C, the second fermentation in the bottle will then begin, which corresponds to the foaming process. This stage is crucial : the fineness of the bubble depends on its success. The foaming lasts about 6 weeks during which the still wine is transformed into sparkling wine to reach up to 6 bars of pressure in the bottles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with escargot in garlic butter & shredded cheese.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 18, 2021

LCBO: 19031

CHATEAU ST. JEAN BRUT CUVÉE SPARKLING WINE NV, California, United States of America

18 Sunday Jul 2021

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $27.80 (Clearance price $22.30)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau St. Jean
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, yet pleasant sparkling that shows tropical fruits & freshness. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, green mango, pineapple, peach with a touch of vanilla & honey as well as yellow flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chateau St. Jean sparkling wines are crafted using the Cuvee Close or Charmat approach, dating to the 1880’s, with a goal of having the Brut Rose as a refreshing and delicate wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with apple & honey roasted chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 18, 2021

LCBO: 978659

TERRA D’ALIGI TATONE MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2016, DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo, Italy

08 Thursday Jul 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terra D’Aligi
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

If you want a full body Italian red wine that is delicious, has a lot to offer, ready to drink now or cellar & yet inexpensive; this wine is it. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, blackberry, raspberry, oregano, sage, peppercorn, cardamon & leather,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Tatone is a nickname for grandfather. This wine as aged 24 months in big barrels made of oak of Slavonia and 3 months in bottle.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with wood oven Margarita Pizza

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 6, 2021

LCBO: 994616

GRUET BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, Méthode Champenoise, New Mexico, United States of America

05 Monday Jul 2021

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

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Cost: $25.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: New Mexico
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gruet Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant dry sparkling rosé wine. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Rosemary gold in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, wild strawberries, raspberries, green mangos & green apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is made in the Saignée method by adding 2% still Pinot Noir to the blend & aged in Tirage for a minimum of 18 months. The winery roots originating from Gilbert Gruet’s Champagne house in Bethon, France. It’s nice to see a New Mexico wine at the LCBO stores now.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Summer Strawberry Gazpacho (with strawberries, tomato, red wooed, cucumber, minced garlic, thyme, olive oil and balsamic vinegar).

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 4, 2021

LCBO: 15686

NIRO DI CITRA MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2016, DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy

03 Saturday Jul 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Codice di Citra
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rustic style wine that selling at a great price. Score: 90/100.

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 cherries, mulberry, plum, tobacco leaves, cocoa, thyme, button mushrooms, liquorice, black peppers & aged balsamic.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with mushroom, tomato, pepperoni thin crust pizza.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 30, 2021

LCBO: 278150