OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

24 Thursday Oct 2019

Posted by in Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until November 10, 2019: $16.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oyster Bay
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Cool climate Chard that is simple but well made

Description: Bright medium gold in colour this wine features well integrated oak, lemon, green apple, honeydew melon, kiwi, ginger & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Originally reviewed 19 June 2016

Drink now or in the next couple of years, on its own or pair it with Pheasant breast à l’orange with dried apricots & prosciutto.

Tasted: October 24, 2019

My Opinion: Recommended

LCBO: 326728

J. LOHR RIVERSTONE CHARDONNAY 201, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California, United States

23 Wednesday Oct 2019

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until November 10, 2019: $16.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: J. Lohr Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to have a California Chard, especially from a warm region, that is full body, well balanced between the oak, fruit, acidity but under 14% alcohol

Description: Bright gold in colour this wine features light toasted oak, buttered popcorn, lemon, mango, pineapple, Kiwi fruit, peach and ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Last reviewed on August 27, 2014

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with crab Alfredo.

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: October 23, 2019

LCBO: 258699

RICKETY BRIDGE FOUNDATION STONE 2016, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

19 Saturday Oct 2019

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $28.75 USD
Grape: 46% Chenin Blanc, 22% Roussanne, 18% Grenache Blanc,11% Viognier, 3% Nouvelle
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek & Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rickety Bridge Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine shows sweet tropical fruits, but the wine itself is not sweet

Positives: Gold in colour this wine features mango, nectarine, tangerine, kiwi, ginger, lemon drops and honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Naturally fermented in barrels at 16˚C. The grapes were pressed gently up to 0.9 Bar pressure after a short period of skin contact. Partial malolactic fermentation took place in older 225L French oak barrels and a 2,500L oak Foudre. All five varietals were matured separately in barrel for a total

maturation time of 10 months before being blended for bottling.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with jerk chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: October 19, 2019

RICKETY BRIDGE CHARDONNAY 2017, W.O Franschhoek, South Africa

17 Thursday Oct 2019

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $26.25 USD (On sale for the month of July $17.50 USD)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rickety Bridge Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An excellent South African Chard that is fairly priced and well balance between the oak, fruit & minerality

Positives: Gold in colour this wine features lemon, clementine, nectarine, caramel, oak spice, dill, almonds and lemon meringue with orange blossom on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Spent 21 months in French oakThis wine was naturally fermented in small French oak barrels and second fill Austrian foudres. (10% new and 90% older)

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with prawn pasta.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at sale price

Tasted: October 16, 2019

FRANCISCAN MERLOT 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

14 Monday Oct 2019

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $35.60 USD
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Black Beards, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Franciscan
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A very pleasant Merlot that is well balanced with nice dark fruit

Positives: Deep ruby to purple in colour having medium tannins and featuring mulberry, plum, dark cherry, blackberry, cola, cherry tobacco, dark chocolate, black pepper and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled meats.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: October 14, 2019

CERRO AŃON RESERVA 2014, Doca Rioja, Spain

04 Friday Oct 2019

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

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano & Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Olarra
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious, Rioja at its best

Positives: Deep ruby to garnet in colour with medium tannin this wine features cherry, raspberry, plum, ripe tamarind, Kirsch, sandalwood, leather, champagne mushroom, sage, arugula, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: Slight heat from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: Spent 20 months in American and French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with macadamia nut encrusted rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 4, 2019

LCBO: 114306

BURIED CANE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

27 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Buried Cane Winery
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A full body, smooth & expressive Cab that’s is also well balanced

Positives: Medium+ purple to ruby in colour with medium tannin, this wine features dark cherry, plum, tamarind, blackberry, blueberry, cassis, turmeric, leather, cedar, spinach leaves

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Buried Cane” refers to the practice of burying grapevine canes to protect them from freezing the cold Washington winters.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with beef ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 27, 2019

LCBO: 402081

13th STREET WINERY GAMAY BLANC DE NOIR 2017, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

24 Tuesday Sep 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, finesse & elegance, a true delight

Positives: Light gold in colour with a fine mousse. This wine features lemon/lime, strawberry, Rainier cherries, light dough, almonds and honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 13th Street has become the quintessential winery in Canada for making the highest quality of sparkling wines thanks to winery maker Jean Pierre Colas.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Thanksgiving turkey.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 22, 2019

RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

13 Friday Sep 2019

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

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Cost: $39.95 (Clearance Price: $32.00)
Grape: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rutherford Ranch
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical plush high alcohol Napa Cab, this one is bright, juicy with finesse

Positives: Medium to dark ruby in colour, this wine features, black & red currants, black cherry, red plums, spearmint, vanilla and dark chocolate.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: It’s becoming a rarity now days to have a red wine from California below 14% alcohol.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 11, 2019

LCBO: 73817

BELLA TERRA CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

13 Friday Sep 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Winery
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A beautiful, well balanced rich & buttery Chard that’s worth the price

Positives: New gold in colour, this wine features lemon tart, golden apple, yellow plum, mango, peach, light dill, caramel and white roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with lobster and drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 13, 2019