WESTCOTT VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2024, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Wednesday Jun 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés

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Cost: $26.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body rosé that has vibrant flavours. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Burnt cooper in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Watermelon, strawberry, rhubarb, Rainer cherries,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “100% Pinot Noir grown & picked specifically for rosé. Macerated for only a few hours, one week on lees, fermented cold with select yeast”.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Greek Pork Kabobs

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: June 17, 2025

PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARD RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Tuesday Jun 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $26.95 (Clearance price: $21.60)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A creamy spicy Chard. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon tart, peach, pear, apricot, ginger, dill, oak spice & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Fermented in stainless steel before being aged, sur lie, for 15 months in French and American oak”.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Greek Chicken Kabobs

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at Clearance Price

Tasted: June 16, 2025

LCBO:  78535

RED HOUSE WINE CO. BACO CABERNET SAUVIGNON NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

06 Friday Jun 2025

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

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Cost: $13.95 (on sale until June 22, 2025: $11.95)
Grape: Baco Noir & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Red House Wine Co.
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Score a big wine for the Speck brothers and for Ontario, for making an inexpensive red wine that has substance, easy to drink & delicious Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry pie, plum, mulberry, blackberry, ripe tamarind, white pepper, cassis & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Can’t beat this wine at the price, especially at the sale price.

Winemaker’s Note:

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 5, 2025

LCBO:  279521

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