PELLER ESTATES PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but elegant

Description: Gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green & red apples, almonds, dill and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Spiced Sea Bass with Caramelized Fennel.

Tasted: 12 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 383109

MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES ROSADO 2016, Doca Rioja, Spain

14 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marqués de Cáceres
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Another solid, dry yet juicy Spanish rosé made from Tempranillo

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, red currants, peach, pink grapefruit and cloves. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with Rosemary Flatbread topped with Blue Cheese, Grapes and Honey.

Tasted: 1 August 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

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

LCBO: 622142

CAVE DE HOEN MAUSBERB BLANC DE BLANC BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE NV, Methode Traditionnelle, AOC Alsace, France

14 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Alsatian White Grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sica Baron De Hoen
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but elegant

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, brioche, white peach, green apples, pears and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage.

Tasted: 13 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 171785

COLUMBIA CREST WALTER CLORE PRIVATE RESERVE 2007, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

12 Saturday Aug 2017

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

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Cost: $49.99 Cayman Islands
Grape: 65.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32.1% Merlot, 2.7% Cab Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s Grand Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Crest
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Columbia Valley Bordeaux style wine that doesn’t disappoint

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, boysenberry, blackberry, cherry, prunes, dark chocolate, coconut, vanilla, turmeric, pencil shavings, cloves, anise and Portobello mushrooms on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 – 5 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Lamb with Peppers and Oregano.

Tasted: 2 Aug 2017

Top Pick

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

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

COLUMBIA WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

12 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Mouvèdre, 7% Syrah, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich Cab with candied dark fruits that’s below 14% alcohol

Description: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, plum, ripe tamarind, blackcurrant, Christmas cake, leather, white pepper, mocha, toffee Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Columbia Winery’s new label is a 1,000 times better than the old one, which was to simplistic & non imaginative.

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Smoked Onion and Gruyere Cheese Tarts.

Tasted: 10 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 460675

JEAN CLAUDE MAS ORIGINES MARTINOLLES 2015, Pays D’oc Saint Hilaire, France

12 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Clearance price: $11.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: France
Region: Saint Hilaire, France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Les Demaines Paul Mas
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive Chard, even more impressive that’s it’s inexpensive

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features mild oak, lemon/lime, mango, pineapple, Spy apples, white peach, coconut crème pie, vanilla and Ylang Ylang on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try using the Montrachet style glassware

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Quail Roasted with Honey, Cumin and Orange Juice.

Tasted: 4 Aug 2017

Best & Amazing Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 469999

ORGANIZED CRIME CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada

27 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $14.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Organized Crime
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice rich, creamy Chard Ontario Chard that’s not high in alcohol & under $15

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium oak, butter toast, lemon, mango, pineapple, peach, Fuji Apples, cream corn, vanilla and buttered popcorn on the nose. Medium+ body with light average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the larger Montrachet glassware

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with.

Tasted: 13 July 2017

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

Best Buy

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

LCBO: 408435

THE FOREIGN AFFAIR: THE CONSPIRACY 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price: $17.95 until 16 July 2017)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Foreign Affair Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice well balanced Ontario red for under $20

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, blackcurrants, cherry, plum, blackberry, turmeric, clove and eucalyptus on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Done in the Ripasso method of drying of the grapes giving the wine more richness & depth.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Roasted Châteaubriand with Red Wine-Mushroom Reduction and Pommes Puree.

Tasted: 11 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 149237

ENIGMA CHARDONNAY 2014, California, United States

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $14.15 (On sale until 16 July 2017: $12.15)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E.J Gallo Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

This is comfort Chardonnay

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon meringue, baked apples, peach, mango, pineapple, orange, oak spice, butterscotch, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Orange Honey BBQ Chicken.

Tasted: 20 June 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 428854

BERONIA RIOJA, TEMPRANILLO, ELABORACION ESPECIAL 2014, Rioja, Spain

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja style that’s smooth and delicious at a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features sandalwood, strawberry, dark cherry, pomegranate, grilled red peppers, cloves, cinnamon, cigar box, oregano, vanilla and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Steak with Olive Salsa.

Tasted: 21 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 426981