SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY OLD VINE MERLOT 2020, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Monday Dec 2024

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

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Cost: $39.65
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better made Canadian Merlot showing elegance, beautiful fruit & balance. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, bramble fruit, cocoa, graphite, baby spinach,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand harvested from the Laundry vineyard located in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. Grapes were destemmed and crushed before indigenous fermentation and malolactic conversion in oak vat. Following a total maceration time of 20 days, the grapes were gently pressed, and the wine settled before barrel aging for 15 months. Two barrels were selected (one of which was new oak) and blended to create this SIP club selection wine.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 14, 2024

THE GRANGE OF PRINCE EDWARD, COUNTY CHARDONNAY, 2022, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

04 Wednesday Dec 2024

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

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Cost: $35.20 (Clearance Price: $24.70)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Grange Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made, elegant, well-balanced Chard. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, mangos, yellow plums, golden apples, pear, peach, ginger, dill & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting: At the winery, cost is $31.00

Winemaker’s Note: “This elegant, terroir driven Chard is part of our Farmer’s Series, which celebrates the friendships we have with other farmers, growers, and vineyards across Ontario.10 Months in French Oak (1/3 new barrel)”. Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Lobster Tail Pasta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: Nov 29, 2024

LCBO: 38305

DELPHINE ROSÉ, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

30 Saturday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $22.00
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Cab Franc rosé bursting with red fruits & some herbaceous notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cranberry, strawberry, raspberry, MacIntosh apple, dried herbs, eucalyptus & white peppers.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “6-hour skin maceration, fermented using select yeast. Complete malolactic fermentation.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with pork souvlaki.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 29, 2024

TERRA TANGRA BLACK LABEL RUBIN, 2019, Sakar Mountain Vineyards, Bulgaria

28 Thursday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $17.95)
Grape: Rubin
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Bulgaria
Region: Sakar Mountain Vineyards
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Terra Tangra
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant wine showing fruits & spiciness. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, plum, blackcurrants, blackberry, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, white & black pepper, arugula & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting: Bulgaria’s early-ripening Rubin: a cross between Nebbiolo and Syrah that was officially registered in Europe in 1944.

Winemaker’s Note: “The Black Label series highlights single-varietal wines that have been aged in 20% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with wooden oven pizza.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 27, 2024

LCBO: 37744

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR OLD VINES 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Dec 1/24: $17.95)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Exceptional value in quality for a premium winemaker of Baco Noir. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, blackcurrants, blackberry, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, peppercorn & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting:

Winemaker’s Note: “From old vines shovel-planted as far back as 1984 by the Speck Bros., Ontario’s Baco Noir pioneers.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 to 4 years on its own or pair it with Turkey dinner.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 26, 2024

LCBO: 459966

SANDBANKS RESERVE BACO NOIR, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

26 Tuesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Dec 1/24: $16.95)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Sandbanks Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

If you like commercial style Cali reds, but without the high alcohol or aggressively sweet wine, this wine is for you, especially at the sales price. Score: 83/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, intense nose, silky tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry pie, plum, blackberry, black & white peppers & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Winery sale price is $2 off regular vs $3 at LCBO

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or a couple years on its own or pair it with BBQ back ribs.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence (not recommended at regular price, but at sales price it’s okay).

Tasted: Nov 25, 2024

LCBO: 225920

WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: California
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body Chard that is balanced, elegant & beautifully made. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, nutmeg, almonds, ginger, dill, oak spice, vanilla & honeycomb.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Winery list this wine cost at $32.00

Winemaker’s Note: “hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. No sulphur added at time of crushing. Barrel fermented. 100% wild yeast and partial malolactic fermentation) barrel aged 100% French oak for 10 months. 10% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Vanilla Bean Bisque.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 20, 2024

LCBO: 424507

ROMBAUER CHARDONNAY 2023, Carneros, California, Unites States of America

16 Saturday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $63.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rombauer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerful Chard. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, butter toast, green apples, pear, peach, cloves, nutmeg, almonds, oak spice, vanilla & honeycomb.

Negatives: High alcohol

Interesting Note: 2023 vintage is not as good as previous ones, and this vintage the alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes were gently whole-cluster pressed while the fruit was still cool. The juice was pumped to tank to cold-settle overnight before it was racked to barrel for primary and malolactic fermentations. The lees were stirred every 7-10 days to give the wine rich flavors and a creamy texture. 9 months in American and French oak barrels (35% new).” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Alaska King Crab in a Warm Lemon-Cilantro Sabayon

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 15, 2024

LCBO: 441089

JEFFERSON VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY RESERVE 2022, Monticello, Virginia, United States of America

01 Friday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: United States of America
Region: Monticello, Virginia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Jefferson Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely made with lots of fruits & spiciness and not high on the alcohol. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, kumquat, cloves, nutmeg, oak spice, vanilla & honeycomb.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged 9 months in oak.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Fontina.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Nov 1, 2024

13th STREET WINERY RESERVE MERLOT 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Oct 2024

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

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Cost: $49.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, mulberry, cocoa, vanilla, oak spice, cinnamon, cloves & light amber smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged in 100% French oak barrels (225L, 500L & 600L) for 18 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Filet Mignon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 25, 2024