VIENI MOMENTI ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE EXTRA DRY NV, Charmat Method, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, balanced, pleasant & all at a good price

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a light intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, cherry, strawberry and red currants. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 – 5 of years on its own or pair it with Duck Terrine with Cranberries and Pistachios.

Tasted: 30 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

VIENI ALLERIA RED 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: 24.5% Cab Franc, 24.5% Cab Sauvignon, 23% Baco Noir, 20% Maréchal Fosch, 8% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An eclectic mix of classic & hybrid grapes that give you a nice experience

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked pine, strawberry, cherry, candy apple, and Champagne mushrooms. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Tried an open bottle that was 3 days old, and still very good.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Thyme and Spiced Rubbed Roast Beef.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

VIENI BRUCE TRAIL SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, VQA, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 52% Pinot Noir, 28% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple sparkler

Description: Pink snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and medium mousse. This wine features yeast, cherry, strawberry and red apple. Medium+ body with average acidity and length.

Negatives: The nose may detract some people.

Interesting Note: Uses classing Champagne grapes, and a dollar goes to the Bruce Trails conservancy

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Spinach and Smoked Salmon Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17+/20

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

WESTCOFF ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2017, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegance in a glass

Positives: Rich gold in colour and the oak is well integrated. This wine features lemon, apples (McIntosh, green & yellow), peach and light oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill this wine as it will mute the elegance.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 22, 2018

ESSENCE PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Ess11PinoNoir

Cost: $44.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant Pinot

Positives: A beautiful aromatic Pinot, light garnet colour that features dry red cherry, cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Essence label is winemaker Jean-Paul Colas private label made at 13th Street Winery.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years. Drink on its own or pair it with smoked oysters.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 21, 2018

VIENI BRIGANTI RESERVE 2014, VQA Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Maréchal Fosch, Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better wines to represent Canada’s true hybrid grapes

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, cherry, blueberry, bramble fruit, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, Champagne mushrooms and smoked cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style Pinot Noir glassware & slightly chill the wine.

Brigantia was the goddess of the largest Celtic tribe in the north of England – the Brigantii. They constantly challenged Roman rule, and armed conflict frequently erupted when the confines of Pax Romana became unbearable. This defiance of convention echoes through the ages and the name “brigand” still describes one who plays outside the rules.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Lamb Kebabs.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

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

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

MONASTERIO De Las VIÑAS RESERVA 2012, DOP Cariñena, Spain

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cariñena
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cariñena
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Monasterio de las Viñas
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, easy drinking wine

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features oak, black cherry, plum, pepper, raspberry, vanilla and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with light average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 13.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Found it tasted better in the Tempranillo style glassware vs other styles.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Parmesan and Herb Crusted Beef Tenderloin.

Tasted: 20 July 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17+/20

My Opinion: On The Fence

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 166579

PELLER ESTATES SIGNATURE SERIES MERLOT 2012, VQA Four Mile Creek, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $48.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A high end Canadian red that deserves the high end price tag

Description: Dark ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoky oak, plum, raspberry, black cherry, blackcurrants, blackberry, tamarind, black tea, cassis, anise, cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa, tobacco leaves, leather and violets on the nose. Full body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 14.2% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

Tasted: 15 July 2017

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

Top Pick

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

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

FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, On The Fence, Rosés

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Unknown
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Featherstone Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Tasteful but a little on the flabby side

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, rhubarb, strawberry and roses on the nose. Medium+ body with fair acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years

Tasted: 6 October 2017

My Opinion: On the Fence

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 117861

CICLOS ICONO MALBEC MERLOT 2012, Calchaqies Valley, Salta, Argentina

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: 50% Malbec, 50% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Calchaqies Valley, Salta
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grupo Penaflor Sa
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth & delicious

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, blackberry, mulberry, cassis, anise, roasted almonds, vanilla bean, black peppers and shitake mushrooms. Medium+ body with good acidity, long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I have to admit, I bought this wine because I liked the label. Glad that it was a good wine.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years

Tasted: 9 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 37895