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

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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

PELLER ESTATES ANDREW PELLER SIGNATURE SERIES CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $31.95 (Clearance price: $22.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A soft not overtly complex Chard with some unique taste & on the pricey side

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, kumquat, mandarin, golden apple, pear and oak spice. Full body with average acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years

Tasted: 11 December 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+/10) Total: 16.5/20 (Clearance price: 17+/20)

On the Fence

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 383075

DOMAINE VOARICK CLOS PARADISE MERCUREY 1er CRU 2014, Ac Mercurey, Burgundy, France

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

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Cost: $36.95 (Clearance price: $25.90)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mercury, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Voarick
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Rustic Pinot this good, just over priced

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, pomegranate, sour cherry, strawberry, mushrooms, cinnamon, dry forest leaves and smoked oysters on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Lightly chill the wine and serve in a Balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the 4-5 of years on its own or pair it with marinated game.

Tasted: 25 December 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17+/20 (Clearance price: 18/20)

Recommended

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

LCBO: 86603

STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2015, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

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Cost: $48.95 (Clearance price: $33.80)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stratus
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Chard just over priced

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, green apple, pear, tangerine, pineapple, oak spice, ginger, dill and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 29 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: 383554

 

JACOB’S CREEK CHARDONNAY PINOT NOIR BRUT NV, Southeastern Australia

17 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Southeastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacob’s Creek Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice flavoured, inexpensive dry sparkler that is an excellent replacement for Prosecco.

Description: Light gold in colour with a light to medium intense nose and medium mousse. This wine features light yeast, lemon, yellow apple, pear, lime and orange rind. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 1 January 2018

Best Buy

Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 210633

ROBERT MONDAVI RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2014, Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States

17 Monday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Robert Mondavi Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Considering other Chards at this quality are more expensive, this makes this wine a fairly good value

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light to medium toasted oak, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, Macintosh apples, honeydew melon, ginger, dill, oak spice and vanilla. Full body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try not to over chill this wine in order for the fruit to fully bloom in your mouth.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years

Tasted: 2 January 2018

Top Pick

Highly Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 258186

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES PAUL BOSC ESTATE VINEYARDS 2014, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Dec 2018

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château des Charmes
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Chards at this price point

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light to medium toasted oak, lemon tart, peach, pineapple, green & yellow apples, crème brûlée, honeydew melon, ginger, dill, oak spice and a light smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 4 January 2018

Best Buy

Highly Recommended

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

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

LCBO: 511345

TRIUS BRUT ROSÉ MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE NV, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $32.95
Grape: Red blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages, The Wine Shop & Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trius Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant dry rosé sparkling wine

Positives: Salmon in colour with a fine mousse. Wine features light yeast, wild strawberry, white currants, white cranberry and pink grapefruit.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 16, 2018

LCBO: 184309