KACABA RESERVE SYRAH 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

04 Wednesday Jun 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: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

High price but it’s worth the complexity, structure & taste of this wine Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, mulberry, blackberry, cocoa, tobacco leaves, white pepper, star anise, tarragon & fresh cut violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Grapes were harvested using a combination of hand & machine harvesting. Grapes undergone a long cold soak before a gentle & cool fermentation to extract colour & tannin, and to achieve optimal colour & aroma. Fruit was transferred to open top fermenters & inoculated with select strains of yeast. The wine was left on the skins post fermentation to add to the complexity & texture of the wine. After the wine was pressed from its skins, it was transferred to French & American oak barrels for 18 months of aging.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7 – 9 years on its own or pair it with Mechoui

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 3, 2025

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Friday May 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, Rosés, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Winery
Alcohol: 12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique rosé with more of a funky/herbaceous note to it. Score: 85/100.

Tasting Note: Red snapper in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Orange peel, tart cherries, red cranberries, oregano & thyme.

Negatives: A little to funky/herbaceous for me.

Winemaker’s Point: “Grapes were hand-harvested & loaded directly into the press. Juice settling was followed by suspending lees to build texture in the wine followed by racking. This technique of stabulation was perfected in Provence, France. Fermented using naturally occurring sugar to balance acidity & alcohol. Wine was aged on lees for eight months prior to bottling.”

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

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: May 22, 2025

CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

18 Sunday May 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $35.00 (Clearance Price: $24.55)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Closson Chase
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A spicy style Chard that works well with various foods. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with good acidity, powdery tannin, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, dill, ginger, cloves, pie dough & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: Barrel fermented in French oak.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with BBQ glazed striped bass.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: May 17, 2025

LCBO: 148866

SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY LIMITED EDITION UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday May 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Organic Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Creamy, but not oak driven Chard that delivers an easy-going drinking wine. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Bright old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, lemon tarts, Golden Delicious apples, white peach, sour dough

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan friendly

Winemaker’s Point: “Harvested from a unique Chardonnay clonal planting in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. Grapes were gently pressed using a long & slow press cycle. Settled juice was transferred stainless steel barrels & aged for 10 months on lees before bottling.” Winery

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: May 15, 2025

KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2019, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

08 Thursday May 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: $44.95
Grape: 38.7% Syrah, 28.5% Cab Franc, 28.5 % Cab Sauvignon, 4.3% Viognier
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Well-made Ontario red blend with luscious & vibrant notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby going to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, blackberries, blackcurrants, cassis, anise, white pepper, graphite, espresso, tobacco leaves & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: “Aged in French & American oak for 12 months.” Winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 6, 2025

KACABA CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

30 Wednesday Apr 2025

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

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Cost: $69.95 (sale price until May 14/25: $65.15)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High-end Ontario red that is outstanding with luscious & vibrant notes. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, boysenberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, cassis, anise, graphite, espresso, tobacco leaves & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: “All grapes for this reserve Cabernet Sauvignon were gently crushed and destemmed prior to cold soaking for two days to extract optimal color and flavor. All three blocks of estate grown Kacaba Cabernet Sauvignon fruit was fermented in separate lots, allowing each lot to be individually and distinctly crafted before being aged in French and American oak barrels. The wine was matured 18 months in barrel before its final blending, filtering, and bottling in September 2024.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Bavette steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 28, 2025

40 CASTAS RESERVA TINTO 2021, DOC Dona Doroteia Valley, Douro Valley, Portugal

26 Saturday Apr 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.76
Grape: 40 wine varieties, manly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca & Tinta Roriz
Category: Red Wine
Location:
Country: Portugal
Region: Dona Doroteia Valley, Douro Valley
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Nuno de Oliveira
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Vibrant & juicy wine, but with a lot of heat from the high alcohol. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mulberry, blueberry pie, plum & cherry cola.

Negatives: High alcohol

Interesting Point: 40 Castas depicts that there are 40 different varietals that this wine is made of.

Winemaker’s Point: Wine made in traditional Lagares with a small aging in oak barrels.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Cozido à Portuguesa (Mixed Meat Boil).

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 21, 2025

DOMAINE J. DENUZIÈRE CONDRIEU 2020, AC Condrieu, Northern Rhône Valley, France

22 Tuesday Apr 2025

Posted by in Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $86.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Northern Rhône Valley, Condrieu
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine J. Denuzière
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Fresh, elegant Condrieu with bright fruits & spice. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Apricot, tangerine, peach, white pepper, fennel

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This is a nice Condrieu, but I’ve had a lot better for same & lower prices.

Winemaker’s Point: “Winery was established in 1876. 100% Viognier comes from a single plot located in the town of Vérin. Partially aged in oak barrel for several months.” Winery

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 21, 2025

LCBO: 33930

CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN BLANC DE BLANCS, NV, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

06 Sunday Apr 2025

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

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Cost: $32.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cave Spring
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant Traditional Method Brut style sparkling wine that is very versatile with food pairings. Score: 93/100.  

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, yellow plums, green & golden apples, light brioche, butter toasted bread & roasted almonds.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: “Bottle fermented in the Traditional Method from Chardonnay, it was aged sur lie for a minimum of 26 months prior to disgorging, resulting in a dry brut style sparkling wine exhibiting delicate effervescence and mineral nuances reflective of its origins.” Winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 30, 2025

LCBO: 213983

13th STREET WINERY ESSENCE SYRAH 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complexed, smooth, elegant brimming with fruits & spiciness. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing Cherries, plums, mulberries, dark chocolates, Allspice, vanilla, white & black peppers, cloves, cinnamon & baby arugula.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: “Sourced mainly from the Wismer Vineyard in Vineland with a small amount from AJ Lepp nearer to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Manually harvested in late October and moved to the winery immediately for sorting, crushing and destemming followed by cold soaking to extract the bright fruit and floral notes. Fermentation and maceration in stainless steel tanks lasted roughly 21 days and the wine was moved to 100% French oak barrels consisting of primarily 2nd and 3rd use with some older wood. After malolactic fermentation was completed, the wine rested on fine lees with regular racking for 14 months when the final blend was conceived and the wine was bottled.” Winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 27, 2025