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

BASILICA CAFAGGIO SINGLE ESTATE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012, Docg, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

27 Thursday Dec 2018

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Basilia Cafagio
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, but smooth & pleasant to drink

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, sour cherry, raspberry, oregano, sage & mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with light to medium tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Pasta with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage.

Tasted: 18 Aug 2017

My Opinion: Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 421107

VIENI APPASSITO DULCIS 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Thursday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: 71% Vidal, 16% Gewurztraminer, 13% Riesling
Category: Desert Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 500 mL
Producer: Vieni Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

This should appease those that don’t like the high sugar in their desert wines, but want a desert style wine

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features rosewood, nectarine, pineapple, yellow apple, mango, peach, coconut and vanilla. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is 98.6 g/l of sugar, compare that to 270 g/l for Vidal Icewine & 35 g/l for Riesling

Drink now or in the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with Tangy Cheesecake Tart with Lime-Poached Pears.

Tasted: 17 Aug 2017

Top pick

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

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

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

LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

27 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95 (Clearance price: $12.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mascota Vineyards
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Cab

Description: Medium ruby to purple in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, dried cherries, blackberry, black olives, raisin, plum, arugula & dried herbs. Medium+ body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Steak Burger with Tangy Caramelized Onions.

Tasted: 16 Aug 2017

Best buy at the clearance price

My Opinion: Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 292110