ST. FRANCIS CHARDONNAY 2015, Sonoma County, California, United States

04 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Francis Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

The grapes are sourced from my favourite California wine AVAs: Russian River Valley, Carneros and Alexander Valley. Too bad I wasn’t overly impressed with this wine. Good but not great.

Positives: Standard good Chard at this price range featuring integrated oak, tropical and citric fruits with good acidity and structure.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol, but it is well integrated.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 4, 2018

LCBO: 317131

13th STREET WINERY WINE CLUB VIOGNIER 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Wood aged Viognier adds a complexity & uniqueness to this wine

Positives: Although wood aged and fermented, it’s dry featuring apricots, lime, kiwi, green apples and white peach.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: All sold out at the winery

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: November 29, 2018

THREE THIEVES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, California Republic, United States

03 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Republic of California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Three Thieves Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This isn’t half bad for a generic Californian red that’s usually designed for the masses in this price range. I have to admit I bought this wine because the label has it as “California Republic”.

Positives: Prunes and plums, but doesn’t go towards the sweetness that you would expect from a generic Californian Cab as it has good acidity and tannins to hold up.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3 years.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: March 4, 2018

LCBO: 541961

CRÉMANT DE BOURGAGNE BAILLY-LAPIERRE CHARDONNAY BLANC DE BLANC BRUT, TRADITIONAL METHODE, NV, Burgundy, France

03 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves de Bailly
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Blanc de Blanc Champagne style at half the price.

Positives: Full flavoured with yeast, Anjou pear, lemon, biscotti, green apples, roasted almonds.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years.

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: April 8, 2018

LCBO: 369066

ALVENTO TEMPEST 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: 50% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvento Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

On a blind tasting one would guess that this wine was a late vintage Right Bank Bordeaux priced around $60. But no it’s Canadian at half that price.

Positives: Garnet in colour and showing that’s an aged wine. Featuring dark cherry, plum, blackberry, blueberry, Champagne mushrooms, nutmeg, cassis, star anise, oregano, tomato leaf, turmeric and leather.

Negatives: On the nose, the wine’s bouquet shows barnyard notes, which would be fine if this was a Pinot Noir.

Ageability: Drink now

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 1, 2018

SPERLING VISION SERIES CHARDONNAY 2015, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

29 Thursday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $30.00 (Clearance price: $21.05)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sperling Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality BC Chard that balances between Chablis and Montrachet

Positives: A robust, full body Chard featuring lemon zest, green apples, pineapple, lemon meringue, ginger, dill, yeast and Easter Lily on the nose. All this with only 13% alcohol.

Negatives: None

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

Top Pick

Best Buy at clearance price

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: April 14, 2018

LCBO: 378570

JACKSON ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2015, Santa Maria Valley, California, United States

29 Thursday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $33.25 (Clearance price: $23.35)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Santa Maria Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jackson Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My style of Chard: buttery, balanced oak, creamy, tropical fruit, good acidity and under 14% alcohol.

Positives: A robust, full body Chard featuring lemon, green apples, pineapple, lemon meringue, mango, dill, and Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy at clearance price

Top Pick

Tasted: May 22, 2018

LCBO: 529735

CHARLES BAKER B-SIDE RIESLING 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended

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Cost: $22.20 (Clearance price: $15.60)
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles Baker, Stratus Vineyards
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

A nicely balanced between the fruit and minerals

Positives: Lime, peach, green apples, limestone and honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-10 years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: June 5, 2018

LCBO: 523845

LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE NOIRE BLANC DE NOIRS BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNALLE NV, Bourgogne, France

28 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.15
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bourgogne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Bouillot
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A Blanc de Noir from Bordeaux made in the traditional method for under $18, hard to say no to this sparkler.

Positives: A lighter style Blanc de Noir featuring a fine mousse, baked apples, lemon, pear, limestone and spice.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: June 6, 2018

LCBO: 464776

YALUMBA COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, Coonawarra, Australia

28 Wednesday Nov 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 General List
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking but solid Cab from Down Under that’s not sweet or overtly high in alcohol.

Positives: Dark cherry, plum, black currant, cassis, mint, turmeric, black olives and a light smokiness on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: June 8, 2018

LCBO: 460667