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

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

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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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