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

WESTCOTT VINEYARDS BRILLIANT ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE, NV, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Oct 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $40.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Don’t let the earthy style sparkling rosé sway you away from this beautifully made wine. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright deep salmon in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, rhubarb, peat moss, portobello mushrooms & thyme.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Made in the Traditional French Champagne method. Skin soaked for 2 hours. 24 months lees contact, hand riddled, disgorged and labelled at Westcott.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with hamburger from Westcott patio.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: Oct 22, 2024

LCBO: 38733

JACQUES BRUÉRE CAP CLASSIQUE BLANC DE BLANCS 2012, Robertson, South Africa

20 Sunday Oct 2024

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Robertson
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bon Courage Estate
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A creamy, full body vintage traditional method Sparkling wine full of character. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Deep gold in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, light brioche, lemon-lime, pear, Fuji apples, honeycomb & limestone.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The base wine was kept on the lees for 8 months initially
during the first fermentation. 10% of the Chardonnay was Barrel Fermented. The “magic of the bubbles” begins during the 2nd fermentation that occurs in the bottle thereby extending maturation on the lees for 100 months. After “disgorgement” (removal of the yeast lees) and “dosage” (adding base wine and sugar) the final product is left on the cork +- 9months, and then released.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 20, 2024

LCBO: 23971

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

19 Saturday Oct 2024

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $59.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A high-end, robust Cab with a price to match. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainer cherries, plum, wild blueberries, bramble fruit, pomegranate, cranberry, cassis, cloves, graphite, dark chocolate, arugula, vanilla & smoked oak on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Sourced from Lakeshore Farm vineyard, fermented with minimal intervention & selected from the top barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon following 20 months ageing.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years & pair it with Marinated Flank Steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 17, 2024

RODNEY STRONG ESTATE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2020, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

18 Friday Oct 2024

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $29.95 (Sale Price until Nov. 10/24: $26.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rodney Strong
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body & flavour RRV Pinot without the high alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, rhubarb, roasted beets, Shitake mushrooms, peat moss, vanilla & light toasted oak smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: For several years this wine had high alcohol of 14.5%. Thankfully they have lowered it now to a respectable 13.5%.

Winemaker’s Note: “10 months in French oak barrels, 30% new”.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 6 – 8 years on its own or pair it with Steak Tartare.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: Oct 17, 2024

LCBO: 954834