PELLER ESTATES PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A touch on the funky side

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, ginger and white mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with 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

Tasted: 14 October 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

LCBO: 383109

PELEE ISLAND PELEE PINK 2016, VQA Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $11.95
Grape: Chambourcin
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical rosé, interesting & priced for the taking

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features rhubarb, sour cherry, raspberry, tomato leaves and shitake mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chambourcin is a French-American hybrid, widely planted in areas not well suited for Vitis Vinefera such as Missouri, Indiana & Michigan.

Drink now or in the next couple of years

Tasted: 19 October 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: 4

LCBO: 529354

MELINI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2009, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

20 Thursday Dec 2018

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 4 Nov 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Melini Casa Fondata
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, a delight to drink & a 2009 for under $20

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light cedar, cherry, raspberry, leather and sage. Medium body with good acidity a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I like the classic label.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 23 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5+/10) Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 487819

MIOLO CHARDONNAY 2015, Campanha, Brazil

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Brazil
Region: Campanha
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Miolo
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Now for something completely different, as in Brazil: Cool climate style Chard that is light & fresh, but doesn’t wow. Nice nose though.

Description: Light gold with a green ting in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features lemon, apple, ripe pear, white pepper and brine. Medium body with good acidity, and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the smaller cool climate style Chardonnay glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 24 October 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

LCBO: 356581

THOMAS GEORGE CATIE’S CORNER VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $30.85
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Special Order
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Thomas George Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Very impressive. Closest to Condrieu without being one

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine light oak, apricot, lychee, peach, pear, nectarine, yellow plum, golden apple and jasmine on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the smaller cool climate style Chardonnay glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Dong Po Pork (Traditional braised pork belly)

Tasted: 4 November 2017

Top Pick

Highly Recommended

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5+/10, Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

AMAROSÉ FOREIGN AFFAIR 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: 13.30)
Grape: 73% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foreign Affair Winery
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid rosé with full flavours yet still is crisp & dry

Description: Rose gold in colour with a low to medium intense nose. This wine strawberry, cherry, watermelon, pear, raspberry and rhubarb. Medium body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Partial grape drying in the Appassimento method brings out the flavours in this rosé.

Drink now or in the next 3 of years

Tasted: 9 November 2017

Best Buy and Amazing Buy at the clearance price

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

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 388702

KACABA RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious Pinot, but for a price

Description: Garnet gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine cedar, cherry, raspberry, rhubarb, cherry tobacco, cinnamon, nutmeg, Champagne mushrooms and autumn forest leaves. Medium body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: High end Ontario Pinot Noirs are rivalling the worlds best.

Drink now or in the next 7-10 of years

Tasted: 12 November 2017

Top Pick

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

Highly Recommended

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

BERINGER KNIGHTS VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, Sonoma County, California, United States

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, juicy, complex & delicious, but for a price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black currants, plum, dark cherry, raspberry, cherry tobacco, tamarind, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, anise, nutmeg and cocoa. Full body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: 2015 was far better than the 2014 vintage

Drink now or in the next 4-7 of years

Tasted: 24 November 2017

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

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 352583

BELLA TERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

One dimensional Cab that’s over priced

Positives: Black currants, blackberries, cigar box, cloves, turmeric and leather

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: December 18, 2018

REDSTONE LIMESTONE RIDGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $38.95 (Clearance price: $27.30)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Red Stone Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality Chard but on the pricey side.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, orange rind, cloves, ginger, caramel covered apple, oak spice, limestone, and some smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: 2015 was far better than the 2014 vintage

Drink now or in the next 4 of years

Tasted: 9 December 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20 (Clearance price: 18/20)

Recommended

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

LCBO: 511436