GREENLANE ESTATE WINERY CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

30 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Greenlane Estate Winery
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

If the winemaker, Dianne Smith, wanted to make a quality, complex, balanced, full body buttery Chard in the style of California’s, at a reasonable price, well she has succeeded. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green apples, pear, peach, pineapple, mango, dill, ginger, oak spice, limestone & vanilla custard.

Negatives: Some heat from the high alcohol

Interesting Point: “Hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, then fermented in 7 very different French oak barrels with 7 specially selected yeast strains, making this is our Winemaker’s ode to California. Aged in 20% new French oak barrels for 32 months, this hot climate style wine is luscious and ripe with notes of tropical fruit and custard.” Greenlane Winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 30, 2020

GREENLAND ESTATE WINERY CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

27 Sunday Sep 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Greenlane Estate Winery
Alcohol:  13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, but pleasant. This is a nice bridge between un-oaked and oaked Chard. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Straw to light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green apples, pear, peach & vanilla custard.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 50/50 between oak barrels & stainless tanks.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass with lemon, dill & caper sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 27, 2020

PELEE ISLAND CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Sep 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $12.45 (Sale price: $11.45)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, crisp unoaked Chard that is priced right. Score: 87/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. Wine features lemon zest, green apple, pear & passion fruit.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2018 label is a lot nicer than their previous ones for this Chard.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with tangy Caesar salad.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 26, 2020

GREENLANE ESTATE WINERY MERITAGE 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Canada

25 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $29.95 (Sale price: $24.95)
Grape: 62% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Greenlane Estate Winery
Alcohol:  12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant, quality & aged Bordeaux style made in Ontario that is below $30. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features blackcurrants, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, anise, licorice, roasted green peppers, anise, chocolate, & Allspice.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Magret de canard.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at the sales price

Tasted: September 25, 2020

GREENLANE ESTATE WINERY SUR LIE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Sep 2020

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

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Cost: $24.95 (Sale price $19.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Greenlane Estate Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

If you like buttered popcorn, you’ll love this. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Yellow to old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon meringue pie, pineapple, peach, pear, yellow apples, yellow plum, buttered popcorn, & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The winery is getting low on how many bottles they have.

Pairings: Drink this now or in couple of years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken .

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 24, 2020

SPECK BROTHERS, FAMILY TREE “THE GOAT LADY” CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until Oct 1, 2020: $14.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Although there is a lot going on with this wine it doesn’t know if it wants to be a commercial California style Chard or a cool climate Chard. Score: 84/100

Tasting Note: Yellow gold in colour with average acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, marzipan, peach, pear, green & yellow apples, ripe pineapple, orange, and passion fruit.

Negatives: There’s a touch of sweetness that has a lingering finish, plus I’m not a fan of marzipan.

Interesting Point: In a glass, I blended this Chard with Niagara Teaching Winery unoaked Chard, & it wasn’t bad, way better than drinking this Chard on its own.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with slow cooked chicken with filled figs.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: September 22, 2020

LCBO: 16792

MY WINNER FOR BEST FOOD & WINE PAIRING AT THE NIAGARA GRAPE & WINE FESTIVAL

19 Saturday Sep 2020

Posted by in Niagara College Teaching Winery, Winery Review Series

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My judging was based on 3 taste factors: 1) The wine being offered, 2) The food being offered, and 3) How the wine & food paired together.

My winner for best food & wine pairing at the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival is Niagara Teaching Winery with their Gastronomy Pinot Noir paired with Chef Tarun’s homemade olive & sautéed mushroom tapenade crostini with red peppers, chives & Prosciutto topping.

Ankur, Chef Tarun & Myself

CHÂTEAU LE CLOS DU NOTAIRE 2015, AOC Côtes De Bourg, Bordeaux, France

16 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc.
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes De Bourg, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Le Clos Du Notaire
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely aged left bank Bordeaux at a great price. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features blackcurrants, blackberry, blueberry, dark cherry, anise, pencil shavings, leather with violet notes on the nose.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 yrs. on its own or pair it with Mongolian beef.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 16, 2020

LCBO: 14718

PAUL MAS RÉSERVE MARSANNE 2018, Pays D’Oc, France

15 Tuesday Sep 2020

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Marsanne
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Paul Mas Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

ABC (Anything But Chardonnay), well look no further as this Marsanne is undervalued, under appreciated and underpriced, which for the consumer to find is truly a treasure. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, pineapple, yellow plum, yellow apples and apple blossoms on the nose.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Love the bottle: elegant & classic.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 yrs. on its own or pair it with pan seared Chilean Sea Bass – glitter and graze.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: September 15, 2020

LCBO: 462457

BAR DOG CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

14 Monday Sep 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance Price: $14.35
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Our Cellars
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see a California Chard under $18 that is not: A) above 14% alcohol, B) sweet, C) overtly oaky. This balanced Chard offers a lot for the buck. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon meringue pie, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, kumquat, yellow plum, vanilla & oak spice.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: From the winery: “My Best Friend… Bar Dog Companion, partner, bone-vivant. Always by my side. In my kitchen or at my dog-friendly bar until it is time to go. Like Bar Dog, we love this wine unconditionally. So will you.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 yrs. on its own or pair it with Devilled stuffed crab.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 14, 2020

LCBO: 10886