VIÑA REAL CRIANZA 2014, DOC Rioja, Spain

24 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuela, Graciano & Garnacha
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas C.V.N.E
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Very easy drinking wine with substance & complexity

Positives: The oak is well integrated in this wine, which features cherry, raspberry, blackberry, red currants, dry herbs, cloves, cinnamon and a pretty nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair with rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: December 30, 2018

LCBO: 657411

MAGNOTTA FLEUR D’OR NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

24 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $25.15
Grape: Riesling, Vidal
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An off-dry sparkling that is well balanced, has substance & easy to drink

Positives: Yellow gold in colour with fine mousse, which features lemon zest, yellow apples, pineapple, peach and pear.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1) I do like the gold bottle with the elongated neck, 2) The new Venture Series sparkling in the LCBOs is now $1 more, so I recommend you can go to the Magnotta stores.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple years on its own or pair it with strawberries

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 24, 2019

STREWN TERROIR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Friday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $44.00
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Ontario does make exceptional red wines and this one is expressive, complex, powerful & delicious

Positives: Firm tannins follow dark cherry, blackberries, blackcurrants, turn tamarind, cassis, star anise, mocha, vanilla, dried herbs, eucalyptus, cinnamon, cloves, leather, turmeric, pencil shavings and tobacco leaves.

Negatives: None

Thanks to the winery’s resident sommelier; Juan Nunez-Sanchez, for selecting this wine for my beef tenderloin steak dinner.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with medium rare beef tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 22, 2019

WESTCOTT TEMPERANCE 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Monday Feb 2019

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A blend between to lighter style red wines, which results in a complex wine that is a pleasure to drink

Positives: Dark cherry, plums, raspberry, blackberry, cloves, dried herbs, Champagne mushrooms with light tannins and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill this wine

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 18, 2019

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive Pinot full of flavour with a touch of spice

Positives: Cherry, raspberry, mulberry, cinnamon, cloves, leather, vanilla and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Slightly chill the wine

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

STREWN SPARKLER NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $24.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful crisp & refreshing sparkling wine made in the Sancerre style rather than NZ

Positives: Pale yellow with a green tinge and fine mousse featuring light yeastiness, lemon/lime, pear, green apples, pink grapefruit, flint and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Cuvé Close (Charmat) method

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with raspberry point oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

MARYNISSEN ESTATES MERLOT 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Saturday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marynissen Estates
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Merlot’s under $20, and it’s Canadian!

Positives: Really nice smoky nose that features plums, cherry, raspberry, cloves, cinnamon and vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Buy 6 pack and the cost comes to $12 per bottle, which I would put into the amazing price for the wine category.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with roasted duck made with salt, pepper, paprika and butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: February 16, 2019

DUFOULEUR PÈRE & FILS BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Aoc à Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy, France

10 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Aligoté
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: à Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dufouleur Pere & Fils
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple yet pleasant sparkling wine made in the traditional method

Positives: Pale gold in colour with fine mousse that features light yeast & buttered toast, lemon, peach, pear and Spy apples.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with strawberries

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 10, 2019

LCBO: 631762

HAUTE COUTURE FRENCH BUBBLES BLANC NV, Méthode Traditionnelle , France

10 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: unknown
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Haute Couture Bubbles
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple wine made for those that like sweetness in their sparkling wine and none of the yeastiness

Positives: Gold in colour with average mousse that features peach, pear and golden apples

Negatives: Not worth the price

Interesting Point: More like a Prosecco rather than a sparkling wine made in the traditional method.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: February 10, 2019

LCBO: 617258

KACABA RESERVE SYRAH 2015, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday Feb 2019

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: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.

A high end Canadian Syrah featuring a beautiful nose & an amazing great taste

Positives: A full, rich body wine featuring plum, dark cherry, strawberry, blackberry, crack black peppers, white pepper, anise, Allspice, dark chocolate and violets & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with lamb chops with rosemary and garlic.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 9, 2019