LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’OR BRUT CRÉMANT BOURGOGNE 2012, Méthode Traditionnelle, Ac Burgundy, France

26 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Bouillot
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This has become one of my favourite sparkling wines or Champagnes as this vintage wine (8 yrs old) has a beautiful nose, complexity & is truly a really pleasant sparkling wine to drink for a great price.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features toasted bread, brioche, Anjou pear, peach, apricots, green apples, Honeycrisp apples, vanilla, & Honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Besides the taste, I love the look of the bottle

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with strawberry crepes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 26, 2020

LCBO: 51565

BERINGER NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2017, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

22 Wednesday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $25.95 (Sale price until April 26, 2020: $22.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: California
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of my top Chards anywhere in the world & one of the few wines that I will drink  that has a high alcohol level because it’s so delicious with lots of tropical fruits, nice creaminess, good acidity & not overtly oaked.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, mangos, pineapple, Spy apples, crème brûlée, ginger, oak spice & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: High alcohol

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster & drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 22, 2020

LCBO: 84988

E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2018, AC Côtes du Rhône, France

20 Monday Apr 2020

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, 2% Grenache blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Southern Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy & creamy. This is a baby Condrieu: Condrieu’s are the gold standards of Viognier & priced from $50 & up, thus meaning it’s awesome at this price

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features juicy peach, apricot, Kent mango & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Conch Ceviche with Scotch Bonnet

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 20, 2020

LCBO: 290296

REDSTONE LIMESTONE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Monday Apr 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Redstone
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A Chard that has some positives but a little heavy on the oak & a little pricey

Tasting Note: Bright straw to gold in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & an average length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, cantaloupe, lemon-lime, oak spice, ginger & limestone.

Negatives: Not crazy about the marzipan notes in this wine

Interesting Point: Limestone vineyard is farmed sustained

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Cornish Hen.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: April 20, 2020

STARS BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA 2016, DO Cava, Spain

19 Sunday Apr 2020

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 40% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada, 30% Macabeu
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castillo Perelada
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Cava, so pleasant just makes me smile when I drink it & the price point helps

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, fine mousse & long length on the finish. Wine features yeast, brioche, pear, green apples, lemon rind, orange & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On the back label the have taken out Macabeu & replaced it with Chardonnay. However, on the winery’s website it list Macabeu not Chard.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Maple Syrup flavoured bacon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Best Buy

Tasted: April 19, 2020

LCBO: 515221

MICHAEL KACABA RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

18 Saturday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $50.15
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol:  14.9% Alcohol/Vol.

High-end Ontario Cab that shows why it’s on the expensive side

Tasting Note: Light garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & long length on the finish. Wine features sweet cherry, strawberry, plum, blueberry, mocha, vanilla, cinnamon and licorice.

Negative: High alcohol level

Interesting Point: Surprised by how light in colour this wine is for only being 5 years old.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped filet mignon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 18, 2020

PONDVIEW VIOGNIER 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Friday Apr 2020

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale price: $13.46)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estate Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking white wine that has a nice balance of acidity & tropical fruit

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with good acidity, a light intense nose, & average length on the finish. Wine features apricot, peach, honeydew melon and honey.

Interesting Point: Great value at the sale price.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques

My Opinion:  Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the sale price

Tasted: April 17, 2020

PONDVIEW CABERNET MERLOT RESERVE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Thursday Apr 2020

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Cost: $24.95 (Sale price: $18.71)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estate Winery
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality Ontario red wine that is smooth, delicious & has a beautiful smoked flowery bouquet/aroma

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & average length finish. Wine features cherry, blackberry, raspberry, mulberry, plum, cedar, vanilla, and violets & smoke on the nose.

Interesting Point: Great value at the sale price.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef

My Opinion:  Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 16, 2020

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PINOT GRIS 2018, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

11 Saturday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Very interesting Pinot Gris that was fermented in neutral French oak barrels, and skin soaked giving the wine that copper colour. Taste is refreshing.

Tasting Note: Copper in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & average length finish. Wine features clementine, green apple, pink grapefruit & pear.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Jerk chicken wings

My Opinion:  Recommended

Tasted: April 11, 2020

13th STREET WINERY ESSENCE PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: 13th Street Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic quality in the Burgundian style

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with mild tannin, high acidity, an intense nose & long finish. Wine features sour cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, wild mushrooms.

Interesting Point: Chill this pinot to 15 C, and use a balloon style stemware.

Pairings: As this wine has high acidity & will still age well over the next 7-10 years, it needs food to really complement it so pair it with rabbit Cacciatore.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 9, 2020