CHÂTEAU LA BRANNE 2015, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc, France

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $28.74 (US)
Grape: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Medoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau La Branne
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Left Bank Bordeaux at a good price

Positives: A rich, juicy wine with mild tannins and featuring black cherry, boysenberry, mulberry, goji berry, plum, blackberry, anise, turmeric, pencil shavings, rubbed sage, dark chocolate  and leather.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years. Drink on its own or pair it with a leg of lamb salted meadow.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 2, 2019

VIENI CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Chablis in style

Description: Gold in colour with a light intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, passion fruit, Golden apple, yellow plum, orange rind and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seafood Risotto.

Tasted: 28 July 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: On the Fence

VIENI PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Pinot’s at this price range

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, Rainier cherry, red apples, cinnamon and cloves. Medium+ body with light to medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill the wine to 15C and use the Balloon style glassware

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Duck Breast with Apple Pomegranate Sauce.

Tasted: 27 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Gewürztraminer
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, lighter style & not as sweet as your typical GW

Description: Straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light lychee, banana and fermented clementine. Medium body with good acidity, a long length.

Negatives: The fermented clementine creates a bit of a distraction from truly enjoying this wine.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Mango Chutney Chicken.

Tasted: 27 July 2017

My Opinion: On the Fence

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

 

VIENI CHARDONNAY PRIVATE RESERVE 2012, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, 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: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Chards but at a higher price point

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pineapple, mango, cream corn, buttered popcorn, butterscotch, dill, ginger, oak spice, cloves and Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 -7 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Scallops in Herb Butter Pan Sauce Served with Arugula and Fennel Salad.

Tasted: 22 July 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

VIENI SPARKLING ROSÉ BRUT 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Sale price: $19.95)
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but a most pleasant & diverse sparkling rosé

Description: Copper in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features yeast, Anjou pear, wild strawberries and McIntosh apples. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Original price was $29.95, somewhat over priced, but bang on with their sale price of $19.95

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Red Snapper Ceviche with Shallots and Mango.

Tasted: 23 July 2017

Best Buy at the sale price

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended at $19.95

VIENI BOLLICINE 2014, CHARMAT METHOD, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality at a good price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light breaded yeast, green & red apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lemon rind, strawberry Medium body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Creamy Lobster Bisque served with Arugula Salad and warm homemade Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buys

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

VIENI VIDAL ICE WINE 2011, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Fortified & Desert Wine, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Vidal
Category: Desert Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 375 mL
Producer: Vieni Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Vidal Ice Wine

Description: Light amber in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features bee’s wax, peach, apricots, pineapple, mango, walnuts and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is 270 g/l of sugar

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with White Peach-Rhubarb Crumble.

Tasted: 17 Aug 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

VIENI SPARKLING CABERNET ICE WINE DOUX 2013, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Fortified & Desert Wine, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended

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Cost: $69.95
Grape: 64% Cabernet Franc, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Desert Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 375 mL
Producer: Vieni Vineyards
Alcohol: 10% Alcohol/Vol.

Uniqueness, but for a price

Description: Red amber in colour with an intense nose and light mousse. This wine features candy coated red apple, plum, blackberry, candied tamarind and honey on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is 260 g/l of sugar

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Duck Confit with Apricot Relish.

Tasted: 17 Aug 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI SPARKLING VIDAL ICE WINE DOUX 2014, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Fortified & Desert Wine, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine

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Cost: $49.95
Grape: Vidal
Category: Desert Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 375 mL
Producer: Vieni Vineyards
Alcohol: 8.5% Alcohol/Vol.

For a different take on Ice Wine this is a winner

Description: Light amber in colour with a medium+ intense nose and light mousse. This wine features bee’s wax, peach, baked apples, apricots, pineapple, mango, walnuts, butterscotch and Orange Blossom on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is 290 g/l of sugar

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Hazelnut Creme Brulee.

Tasted: 17 Aug 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

My Opinion: Highly Recommended