M XX270 SYRAH 2015, Vin De France, Corsica

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $25.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corsica
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave d’Aléria
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rare & unique wine from Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon, to Ontario. Need to try it just for that, and oh yes it’s pretty good too!

Positives: Easy drinking with medium+ tannin that features blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, spice, white pepper, some mint and violets on the nose. Needs decanting to fully open the wine up.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 26, 2018

LCBO: 571778

GRAHAM BECK PREMIER CUVÉE BRUT BLANC DE BLANC TRADITIONAL METHOD 2013, Robertson, South Africa

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Robertson
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Graham Beck
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style sparkler with great value for a vintage Blanc de Blanc

Positives: Fine mousse with taste of brioche, lemon peel, golden apple, pear, apricot and white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 11, 2018

LCBO: 907568

ALVENTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $35.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvento Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality & Complexity coming to a Canadian Cab Sauv near you. Oh wait it’s here in this wine!

Positives: A juicy Cab featuring blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plums, blueberry, cassis, cloves, pencil shavings, turmeric, leather and vanilla. A wonderful pairing with rib-eye steak.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Thanks to the sales manager, Anita Cavén for introducing me to this wine.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 17, 2018

 

13th STREET WINERY PREMIER CUVÉE BRUT NATURE 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $34.95
Grape: 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An impressive and delicious Champagne style sparkling at half the price.

Positives: Full body, bone dry with lively acidity, a fine mousse and a long finish. Featuring brioche, green and yellow apples, Anjou pear, toasted pineapple, lemon-lime, limestone and gently oxidative. Pair this with shucked oysters.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: No dosage, 2nd fermentation in the bottle and aged sur lattes (en tirage) for a minimum 48 months.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 25, 2018

CORTE MEDICEA ATOS 2015, IGT, Tuscany, Italy

23 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

≈ 2 Comments


Cost: $28.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bollina
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

I don’t know if I should like this or not as if I’m looking for a Merlot, this is atypical. However, if I’m searching for a Primitivo, this fits the taste profile.

Positives: Full body, oak driven featuring raisins, plum, dried prunes, figs, cherry, mocha, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and Christmas cake.

Negatives: Some heat from the listed 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: The bottle label has this as 14% alcohol, however LCBO web site puts it at 15%. I would lean more towards the 15%.

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

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: November 23, 2018

LCBO: 475996

ARISTOTLE PETITE SIRAH 2014, Monterey County, California, United States

21 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $21.95
Grape: Petite Sirah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Scheid Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Slightly on the sweater side, but has enough substance to rise above the generic California reds

Positives: Blackberry, kirsch, mocha, plum, pencil shavings, leather and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: August 7, 2018

LCBO: 572321

VILLA BLANCHE CHARDONNAY 2017, IGP Pays d’Orc, France

21 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $15.00 (Sale price: $13.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Pays d’Orc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Calmel & Joseph
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Above average Chard at the sale price

Positives: Lemon, pink grapefruit, tangerine, white peach, McIntosh apples, and honeydew melon.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 18, 2018

LCBO: 375071

CAVE DE LUGNY CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE BRUT BLANC DE BLANC NV, Traditional Method, Ac Burgundy, France

21 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy, Mâconnais, Lugny
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave De Lugny
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Besides being yummy, it’s also delicious. Lighter style, easy to drink, but full of flavour. Get a true Bourgogne Blanc de Blanc at half to three times less in price than those made in the Champagne region.

Positives: Fine mousse with taste of brioche, buttered toast, lemon, pink grapefruit, green apples, hazelnut, pear and white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Best Buy

Tasted: August 19, 2018

LCBO: 460865

CON SUR RESERVA ESPECIAL CARMENÈRE 2017, DO Valle del Cachapoal, Chile

16 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95
Grape: Carmenère
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Cachapoal Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, low tannin wine that’s a great alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, and it’s under the usual 14.5% alcohol that is normally associated with Carms

Positives: Black currants, blackberry, plums, blueberry, dark chocolate, cinnamon and cigar box.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 20, 2018

LCBO: 569657

RUSTENBERG PETIT VERDOT ROSÉ 2017, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa

09 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.95
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rustenberg Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is interesting, in a good way with it being smooth, juicy & full of flavour

Positives: Beautiful rosé colour featuring cherry, strawberry, watermelon and cranberry.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 9, 2018

LCBO: 451773