M`A`N MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT NV, Coastal Region, South Africa

09 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.75
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Coastal Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: MAN Family Wines
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This sparkling wine won’t blow away people, but it’s fairly priced and enjoyable

Positives: Yellow in colour with medium mousse. This wine features light oxidative characteristics, Granny Apples, lemon/lime, quince and peaches.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The winery is named after the first initials of the 3 winemakers wives names.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 9, 2018

LCBO: 556670

BOHIGAS RESERVA BRUT CAVA NV, DO Cava, Spain

07 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: $15.20)
Grape: 50% Xarello, 30% Macabeo, 20% Parellada
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fermi Bohigas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A dry, versatile sparkling wine that’s easy to drink

Positives: Well balanced sparkling wine with some depth. A nice mix of yeast, citric fruit and white fruit.

Negatives: None

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

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 18, 2018

LCBO: 401216

 

CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA 2014, DOC Doã, Portugal

07 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: 40% Alfrocheiro, 40% Roriz Ink, 20% National Touriga
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Dão
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cabriz
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

There are quality inexpensive wines vs sweet red inexpensive wines, and this is the former. If this were a Canadian or American wine you would have it priced $20 to $25

Positives: A nice array of black cherries, plums, raspberries, spices & dark chocolates. Nicely balanced between the oak, fruit and acidity.

Negatives: None

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

Amazing and Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: February 19, 2018

LCBO: 247973

ELYSSIA GRAN CUVÉE BRUT CAVA NV, Traditional Method, Do Spain

07 Friday Dec 2018

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay, Macabeo, Parellada, Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Freixenet
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An excellent substitute for Champagne style wines but at substantial lower price.

Positives: Nice complexity from of the yeast, brioche, apples, pear, pineapple and almonds. Good acidity with a medium+ body.

Negatives: None

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

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: February 25, 2018

LCBO: 392548

WENTE SOUTHERN HILLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California

06 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

From one of my favourite US wineries, this Cab offers quality taste for a good value.

Positives: A nice array of black fruits, spices, cocoa with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

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

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: February 26, 2018

ELYSSIA ROSÉ BRUT CAVA NV, Spain

06 Thursday Dec 2018

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Cost: $33.75 (Comes only in a gift box with Elyssia Brut Cava)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Freixenet
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best rosé cava’s I’ve tried

Positives: Full flavoured with red berries that finishes dry.

Negatives: Unable to buy separately

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

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: March 4, 2018

LCBO: 517664

ALVENTO ASTRAL 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Thursday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $25.95
Grape: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 14% Viognier
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvento Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Already an aged wine that is showing beautifully

Positives: Easy to drink with light tannin, and full flavoured. Wine features cherry, plum, blackberry, tamarind, button mushrooms, tomato leaf, pencil shavings, turmeric and leather.

Negatives: Some barnyard notes on the nose

Interesting Point: Garnet in colour that is showing an aged wine older than the 2011 vintage.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 5, 2018

CHÂTEAU DES BERTRANDS RÉSERVE DES BERTRANDS ÉLEGANCE ROSÉ 2017, Ac Côtes de Provence, France

04 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cinsault, Black Grenache
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Winery
Country: France
Region: Côtes de Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Côtes de Provence rosé showing elegance and class

Positives: A light onion coloured rosé, which is dry and having a long finish. The wine features apricots, orange zest, peach, strawberry, white pepper and wet stone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I like the classic label and unique bottle.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 4, 2018

LCBO: 557371

WOODBRIDGE BY ROBERT MONDAVI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, California, United States

04 Tuesday Dec 2018

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Cost: $13.75 (On sale until April 1, 2018: $11.75)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Robert Mondavi
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

For an inexpensive California Cab it has good flavour, but not on the sweet side. This one is a winner.

Positives: A nice array of wild berries, cassis with mild tannins.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3 years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 4, 2018

LCBO: 48611

LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, Mendoza, Argentina

04 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95 (On sale until April 1, 2018: $12.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mascota Vineyards
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Move on, nothing to see here

Positives: Sale price

Negatives: This isn’t good, but not for the usual over sweet red wines found in this price range. The wine was very astringent.

Ageability: Drink now.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 4, 2018

LCBO: 292110