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

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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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

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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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

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

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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

HENKELL BLANC DE BLANCS DRY/SEC NV, Germany

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: White grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Germany
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henkell
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich, creamy, fruit driven & easy drinking sparkler that will please those that don’t like a yeasty, toasty sparkling/Champagne

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features golden apples, peach, pear, orange and lime. Medium+ body with average acidity and length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Pretty bottle

Drink now or in the next couple of years

Tasted: 7 January 2018

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

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

LCBO: 463349

BONTERRA CHARDONNAY 2016, Mendocino County, California, United States

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Feb 25, 2018)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Mendocino County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fetzer Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Fair priced Chardonnay that I like

Positives: Smooth, rich in flavour, tropical fruit, spicy, well balanced between oak, fruit and acidity, it’s organic and under $20.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 12, 2018

LCBO: 342436

HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $16.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A fairly priced Chard

Positives: Easy drinking, good citric flavours mixed in with some tropical notes, and the oak is well integrated.

Negatives: None

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

Best Buy at the clearance price

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 14, 2018

LCBO: 268342