ABBOTTS & DELAUNEY LES FRUITS SAUVAGES CHARDONNAY 2019, Pay DOC, France

21 Wednesday Apr 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Cévennes, Limoux Aude Valley, Hérault
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Abbott Delaunay
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Found my new inexpensive easy drinking Chard. This wine should please those that are anti-oak to those that like rich bold wines. This wine has freshness with a slight buttery finish. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, clementine, honeydew melon, dill, ginger, light oak spice & Gardenia on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The grapes from Cévennes bring freshness, those from Limoux’s Aude Valley introduce aromatic fruit tones to the bouquet, and those grown in Hérault add richness. Partially fermented in oak with the rest in stainless steel.” LCBO. This wine taste just as good as in a Chablis style stemware as well as the larger Chards that are big & rich.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken & Pears

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 20, 2021

LCBO: 18371

SEÑARÍO DE LA ANTIGUA FINCA CABANELA MENĆIA 2015, DO Castilla y León, Spain

20 Tuesday Apr 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Menćia
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Seńorío de la Antigua
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but very flavourful, easy drinking, not flat or sweet, plus it’s good value for your money. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Medium dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberry, blackcurrants, plum, tamarind, mushrooms & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to about 17 C in order to give this wine more freshness

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 19, 2021

LCBO: 481549

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SEMILLON-SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

12 Monday Apr 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 83% Semillon, 17% Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine gives you a nice balance between sour & tart flavours. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Gooseberry, fresh cut grass, lemon-lime custard, grapefruit, passionfruit & chalk.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Fermented in both stainless steel and French oak barrels

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Shrimp

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 9, 2021

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE MUSCAT 2019, VQA Ontario, Canada

09 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Muscat
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  10.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking, delicious off dry white wine to have on a beautiful sunny day on the patio or while enjoying a hot tub. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Honeydew melon, kiwi, green apples, lemon meringue, clementine, peach & Ylang-ylang on the nose.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Thanks to Chetan from the Teaching Winery Store for suggesting this wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Thai green curry coconut shrimp.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 9, 2021

MATAHIWI ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2019, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

02 Friday Apr 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Matahiwi Estates
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Another winner from New Zealand. Great quality, complexity, taste, balance & all at under $20. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: lemon, green, orange & red apples, clementine, pink grapefruit, roasted almonds, oak spice, ginger, dill & Easter Lily on the nose.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For me, New Zealand Chards are delicious & better priced for the value than any other country, with Canada coming in 2nd.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Pan Fried Mahi in Lemon Butter Sauce

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buys & Top Pick

Tasted: April 1, 2021

LCBO: 17547

STREWN TERROIR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Saturday Mar 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Cost: $24.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stewn Winery
Alcohol:  13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex Sauv with nice fruits & some spiciness. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: gooseberry, fresh cut grass, honeydew melon, pear, mandarin & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My thanks to the winery’s sommelier; Juan Nunez-Sanchez, for his recommendation of this wine for my pairing with the ceviche that I made.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 26, 2021

STREWN TERROIR, STREWN THREE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $46.00
Grape: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stewn Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Don’t think Ontario winemakers make great Bordeaux style wines like their counterparts across the pond, well this one certainly does. The wine just explodes in your mouth with beautiful fruits & spice. Well worth the price. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, plum, tamarind, mulberry, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, black peppers, Crème de cassis, cloves, cinnamon, anise, tobacco leaves, leather, vanilla & a mix of Evergreens & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Strewn Three, their flagship red wine, is a three varietal blend that is unique each time it is made. In the past decade there have been only four vintages – 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016 – where the grapes were of the outstanding quality required to make our top-tier Terroir reds.” Strewn

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Blackberry Pan sauce and Arugula 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 24, 2021

MARQUÉS DE TORO FINCA LA MOURA MENCÍA 2015, CEO Castilla y León, Spain

23 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Mencía & other Spanish Reds
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Alvares de Toro
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Undervalued wine that’s well-made, complex & featuring juicy fruit notes & spiciness. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Opaque purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, plum, ripe tamarind, mulberry, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, black peppers, cassis, anise, tomato leaves, leather & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I believe you could bring this bottle to a dinner party & people will think it’s a $30+ bottle of wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Seafood Paella

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buys

Tasted: March 22, 2021

LCBO: 545939

PELEE ISLAND VINEDRESSERS RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2017, VQA South Islands, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Mar 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Ontario
Region: South Islands, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This Pinot is an excellent styling to Central Otago Pinots, but under $20, which you will never find that at the LCBO for former. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, strawberry, raspberry, beetroot, mulberry, cinnamon & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I love the expensive looking front label. Remember to chill to 15C, and use balloon (Burgundy) glassware.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Escargots à la Bourguignonne.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 21, 2021

LCBO: 325282

DOMAINE CLAVEL SYRIUS SAINT GERVAIS 2017, AOP Saint Gervais, Côtes du Rhônes, France

21 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint Gervais, Côtes du Rhônes
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Clavel
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerful, full body wine with lots of sweet fruit notes & spices. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, raisins, cherry pie, cloves, cinnamon, Allspice, white pepper & tomato leaves.   

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Wild Boar.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: March 20, 2021

LCBO: 18144