GEMMA BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, Traditional Method, Limari Valley, Chile

27 Sunday Jun 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Limari Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Spumante Limari
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant quality dry rosé sparkling wine at a great price. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Pale bronze in colour with good acidity fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lightly toasted, brioche, yeast, cherry, red currants, strawberries, raspberries, green & red apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This organic sparkling wine was aged in bottle for at least 24 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Eggs Benedict with Plantain Tostones and Hollandaise

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 27, 2021

LCBO: 18558

LISTEL GRAIN DE GRIS ROSÉ 2020, IGP Terres du Midi, France

22 Tuesday Jun 2021

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

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Cost: $11.80
Grape: Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Terres du Midi, France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Listel
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Best rosé I’ve tasted in a very long time. Fresh, dry & clean rosé with fruity & spicy notes that could sell more than double the selling price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, white peach, blood orange, apricots, nutmeg, dill & lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Winery has been around since 1883. Serve this wine well chilled.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Pan-Roadted Hake & Romesco Sauce with Leeks, Scallions & Fingerling Potatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy, Top Pick

Tasted: June 21, 2021

LCBO: 15568

CHÂTEAU GRAVES DE RABION 2016, AOC Saint-Emilion, Bordeau, France

21 Monday Jun 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Èmilion, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Graves de Rabion
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A mix of berries, spice & earth notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, blackcurrants, cloves, Champagne mushrooms, rosemary, cedar, leather, vanilla & barnyard aromas.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: As the nose is dusty & barnyard, this may detract some people, but go beyond the nose & you should enjoy this wine.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 15, 2021

LCBO: 92536

CHÂTEAU LARROQUE 2016, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France

18 Friday Jun 2021

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ducourt
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This left bank Bordeaux is one dimensional, but inexpensive & pleasant drinking. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackcurrant, plum, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, anise, nutmeg, vanilla & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Marie-Christine, the daughter of Henri Ducourt, purchased this prestigious left-bank property in 1979, which lies on the border of the Graves appellation. The 60-hectare vineyard was rapidly replanted and the château building, which dates from 1348, was restored.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Flank Steak

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 15, 2021

LCBO: 92536

KACABA OAK AGED CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Jun 2021

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

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Cost: $30.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol:  13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A restrained oaked Chard, which is a good thing as it’s delicious. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, pear, honeydew melon, oak spice, butterscotch & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Caper Sauce

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 10, 2021

CHÂTEAU TERRE BLANQUE 2018, AC Côtes de Bordeaux

10 Thursday Jun 2021

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: SCEA Terre Blanque
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking wine with substance all at a good price. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, bramble fruit, turmeric, cassis, pencil shavings & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Butter Steak Bites

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 9, 2021

LCBO: 18577

JOSH CELLARS LEGACY RED 2018, California, United States of America

08 Tuesday Jun 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until June 20, 20201: $17.95)
Grape: Red Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, easy drinking, not sweet but has a jammy feel to it. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, cherry pie, blackberry, toasted cedar, mocha, sage, white & black peppers.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Flank Steak with grilled scallions, charred corn, roasted garlic fingerling potatoes and Chimichurri sauce.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: June 7, 2021

LCBO: 507467

KACABA EFFERVESCENCE SPARKLING ROSÉ 2019, VQA Ontario, Canada

07 Monday Jun 2021

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

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Cost: $32.15 (Sale price: $28.15)
Grape: 62.5% Pinot Noir, 37.5% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking, not complex, off dry sparkling wine that will please those that don’t like the toasty, yeasty, brioche Champagne style. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with fine mousse good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Wild strawberries, Bing Cherries, raspberries & sweet basil.

Negatives: Price point

Interesting Point: For a Charmat method sparkling wine priced at over $30 is way too much. Sale price brings it more palatable to buy, but still overpriced even at that point.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Ukrainian Beet Vinaigrette Salad – with fresh beets and pickled cucumbers

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 6, 2021

LA GRANGE DES COMBES 2018, AC Saint-Chinian Roquebrun, Languedoc, France

06 Sunday Jun 2021

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

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: 45% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Chinian Roquebrun, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave de Roquebrun
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious combination of red fruits, spiciness & earthiness. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherry, strawberries, raspberries, dried herbs, mocha, portobello mushrooms, & white pepper

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Reminds me of Vaqueyras

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Herb Duck Breast

My Opinion: Top Pick & Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 5, 2021

LCBO: 155804

LOUIS M. MARTINI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

03 Thursday Jun 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95 (Sale price until June 2021: $21.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis M Martini
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Cali Cab wine under $25 that’s smooth with lots of nice black & red fruits. Nice to see this vintage below 14.5% alcohol. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackcurrants, blackberries, plum, tamarind, raspberry, mocha, Crème de Cassis turmeric, vanilla, leather & purple lilacs on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 1, 2021

LCBO: 292151