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

LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT PREMIER CHAMPAGNE NV, À Reimes, Champagne, France

30 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Champagne, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $74.95 (Sale price: $69.95 until Jan 6, 2019)
Grape: 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: France
Region: À Reims, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Roederer Champagne
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Champagnes without breaking the bank

Positives: Rich gold in colour with a fine mousse that features, brioche, yeast, toast, lemon, green apples, Anjou pear, clementine, Herbes de Provence, hazelnut, smoke and vanilla.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10-15 of years. Drink on its own or pair it with oxtail ravioli in a garlic white wine butter sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 30, 2018

LCBO: 268771

JACK RABBIT ROSÉ 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $15.50
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hare Wine Co.
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sweetness without being overtly sweet

Description: Salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, nectarine, strawberry, a kiss of pink grapefruit and Jasmine on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This Cab Franc is only available to Founder Club members. A reason to join the Club.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Chicken with Herb Roasted Tomatoes and Pan Sauce.

Tasted: 18 September 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

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

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

KACABA FOUNDERS SELECT CABERNET FRANC 2015, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

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
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

What a pleasure, smooth, rich in black fruit & really easy to drink

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium nose. This wine features blueberry, blackcurrants, blackberry, raspberry, dark cherry, white & black peppers, thyme, cinnamon and vanilla. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This Cab Franc is only available to Founder Club members. A reason to join the Club. Very & pleasantly surprised that such a young Cab Franc is so smooth.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Venison Steak with Shallot and Red Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 25 Aug 2017

Top Pick

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

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

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

FLAT ROCK CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Ontario oaked Chards under $20 by a large part one of the best in the world & this one may just be lead the pack

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ nose. This wine features medium buttered toast, lemon tart, peach, pear, green apple, honeydew melon, pineapple, dill, ginger, oak spice, vanilla and Jasmine on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Ginger Garlic Baked Chicken.

Tasted: 26 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 286278

CASTELLANI CHIANTI RESERVA 2014, Docg Chianti, Tuscany, Itlay

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castellani
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex just a quality DOCG Chianti Reserva at a great price

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium nose. This wine features sour cherry, pomegranates, leather, sage and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Tuscan Sausage Linguine with Zucchini, Chilies and Parmesan.

Tasted: 23 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 970707

CHEVALIER MONOPOLE BRUT ROSÉ NV, France

28 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chevalier
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

I think this is one of the smoothest, full flavourful rosé sparkling that I’ve tasted, plus you can’t beat the price made in the traditional method

Description: Light cooper in colour with a medium to intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, strawberry, rhubarb, nectarine, clementine, lemon/lime, Spy apple, Anjou pear and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Monopole on French sparkling/champagnes means that the grapes are exclusively owned by the winery and not purchased elsewhere and brought to the winery.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Lobster Fettuccini with Creamy Spicy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce.

Tasted: 20 Aug 2017

Top Pick, Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 485920

VIÑA CHOCALAN CHARDONNAY 2016, Valle del Maipo, Chile

27 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.80 (Sale price until 10 Sept 2017: $11.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Valle del Maipo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Viña Chocalan
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant citric dominated Chard especially at the price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, pineapple, green apples, pear, ginger, dill & Champagne mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note:

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Skillet Chicken With Garlic Herb Butter.

Tasted: 19 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 487280