CHÂTEAU LÉOUBE ROSÉ DE LÉOUBE 2018, Côtes De Provence, France

30 Tuesday Jun 2020

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $30.95
Grape: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah & Mourvèdre
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes De Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Léoube
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sometimes is worth paying a higher price for a rosé this good

Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features Rainier cherries, strawberry, tangerine, Fuji apples with honeysuckle & orange blossoms on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: If you’re not familiar with Tartrates in wine (potassium & tartaric acids coming together to form crystals with are is not a negative in wines), this wine has them.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with BBQ Jerk seasoning back ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 29, 2020

LCBO: 491100

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY’S DEAN LIST SYRAH 2018, VQA, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Friday Jun 2020

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A classic style Syrah that’s full of berries & spice, all for under $30 and with only 13% alcohol, and it’s made in Ontario!

Tasting Note: Purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, white & black pepper, tobacco leaves, and a gorgeous spicy/smoked nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: How much to I like this wine? I tasted it at the Winery in a small plastic glass & I was wowed by it, so in my official tasting with the proper Syrah stemware, not surprisingly I’m stilled wowed.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 7-8 of years on its own or pair it with lamb saltimbocca with port wine & blackberries.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 26, 2020

HOYA DE CADENAS RESERVA TEMPRANILLO 2014, DOP Utiel-Requena, Spain

24 Wednesday Jun 2020

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.00 (Sale price until June 21, 2020: $11.50)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Utiel-Requena
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vicente Gandia
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I wish I could like this as it’s a great price for an aged Tempranillo. Unfortunately, the taste isn’t there. It’s just “blah”.

Not Recommended

Tasted: June 24, 2020

LCBO: 620989

13th STREET WINERY L. VISCEK VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

08 Monday Jun 2020

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Pure elegance; balanced, smooth, complex & only 13% alcohol. Truly impressive Chard that can compete with the best in the world, and at this price for the quality that you get, I haven’t had a Chard anywhere in the world that is better. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, Gala apples, pineapples, Edward mangos, light oak spice, baby dill pickles, ginger & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Every year JP keeps improving his Viscek Chard, and here I thought his last 2 were great, so does this make it great-great-great?

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 4-6 of years on its own or pair it with Gunn’s Hill Brigio’s Brie (sold at the winery’s bakery store).

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 5, 2020

FEATHERSTONE JOY PREMIUM CUVÉE ROSÉ 2017, Méthode Classique, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $21.00)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Featherstone Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This almost dry sparkling wine presents a lot of red juicy sweet fruit

Tasting Note: Tawny in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features Maraschino cherry, strawberry, raspberry, red currant & Fuji apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Better when it’s chilled below 10C.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with pan seared pork chops with red currant glaze

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: June 7, 2020

LCBO: 450700

DOMAINE LES PINS CUVÉE LES ROCHETTES BOURGUEIL 2017, AOP Bourgueil, Loire Valley, France

06 Saturday Jun 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance price: $14.40)
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bourgueil, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Les Pins
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy Cab Franc full of flavours

Tasting Note: Purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, fine tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrants, bell peppers and white & black peppers.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 4-6 of years on its own or pair it with pepper crusted venison fillet with Worcestershire glazed mushrooms

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 6, 2020

LCBO: 478263

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE WHITE 2106, VQA Ontario, Canada

06 Saturday Jun 2020

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

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Vidal, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Normally I’m not crazy about wineries that make white wines from more than 3 grapes, then add the kitchen sink just because they can, but this one even though it’s off dry, still has balance & character, which I like. Reminds me more of Southern France white blends.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, orange, lychee, yellow apple & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Great deal at the clearance price.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with homemade butternut squash ravioli with sage and butter sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 5, 2020

CREEKSIDE LAURA’S RED 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Tuesday Jun 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Cost: $25.00 (Clearance price: $17.55)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah & Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Creekside Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A consistent favourite of mine, but due to the high acidity it drinks best when paired with food. Has a beautiful nose.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with high acidity, a medium+ intense nose, integrated tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, blackberry, loganberry, plum, tamarind, anise, cloves, tomato leaves, & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Great deal at the clearance price.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years and pair it with Greek styles lamb kebabs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 2, 2020

LCBO: 117960

ROSEMOUNT DIAMON SHIRAZ 2019, South Australia, Australia

01 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $15.95 (Sale price until June 21: $13.95)
Grape: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: South Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rosemount Estates
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An excellent value Shiraz that although has some fruit sweetness to it, it’s balanced with a pleasant taste

Tasting Note: Medium purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & an average length on the finish. Wine features blackberry, plum, dark cherry, ripe tamarind, sweet steak spice & cinnamon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The sale price at Sobeys is $12.37 vs LCBO’s $13.95

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with roast beef with red wine & banana shallots.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 1, 2020

LCBO: 302349

DOMAINE GASTON & PIERRE RAVAUT LADOIX 2015, AOC, Ladoix, Côtes de Beaune, France

28 Thursday May 2020

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

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Cost: $40.95 (Clearance price: $32.80)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Ladoix, Côtes de Beaune
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Gaston & Pierre Ravaut
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Burgundian Pinot; earthy & tart with a barnyard on the nose

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with high acidity, a medium intense nose, low but firm tannin & an average length on the finish. Wine features cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, raspberry, mushroom, clove, sumac, crushed leaves & barnyard on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with roasted sherry duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 28, 2020

LCBO: 557777