GENESIS XINOMAVRO MERLOT 2014, Pgi Macedonia, Greece

22 Saturday Jul 2017

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance price: $13.60)
Grape: Xinomavro & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Macedonia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kechris & Company
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, tasteful wine that is a great buy

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, tamarind, blackberry, red & black pepper, cassis, tobacco leaves and cherry pipe tobacco on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Love the nose on this wine. Reminds of wines from Graves.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with a medley of Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Peppers and Beets served with Grilled Flank Steak.

Tasted: 20 June 2017

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at clearance price

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 465914

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS SMALL LOT MERLOT 2013, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy yet firm, one of the better Ontario Merlot’s for under $25

Description: Medium bronze in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, black cherry, blackcurrants, plum, blueberry, anise, cassis, tobacco leaves, green peppers, rosemary and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 of years on its own or pair it with Mediterranean Lamb Burgers.

Tasted: 4 July 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

RITUS 2010, DOC Ribera Del Duero

20 Thursday Jul 2017

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Cost: $17.25
Grape: 75% Tempranillo, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Ribera Del Duero
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Balbas
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but full flavoured

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plum, raspberry, blackberry, coconut and tomato leaves. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: Slight heat from the 14% alcohol and a little soapy on the nose.

Interesting Note: I found the wine tasted better in the larger Cab glass rather than the typical Tempranillo glass that I would normally use for a dominant Tempranillo wine.

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Lamb Shanks with Ancho Chile Honey Glaze.

Tasted: 5 July 2017

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 461236

POWERS VIOGNIER 2015, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States

20 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Badger Mountain Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Deliciously expressing the Viognier grape at an excellent price

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, pear, lemon tart, apricot, Fuji apples, Honeydew melon, clementine, honey and peach pit on the finish. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a good length.

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this wine or you’ll loose its complexity.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Veal Piccata with Parsley and Capers.

Tasted: 7 July 2017

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

LCBO: 486993

 

MER SOLEIL RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2015, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, United States

18 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in White Wines

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Cost: $34.95 (Sale price until 16 July 2017: $29.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mer Et Soleil
Alcohol: 14.9 % Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, tasteful wine

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, butter popcorn, lemon zest, mango, pineapple, apple pie, cream corn, almonds, ginger and roasted marshmallows on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.9% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Sales price is correct value for this wine.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Chicken Liver Paté served Crème Brûlée Style, with Homemade Pan Brioche and Fruit Confiture

Tasted: 30 June 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale price: 8.5+/10) Total: 17+/20

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

LCBO: 958975

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS ROSÉ 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 86% Pinot Noir, 14% Riesling
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Pleasant dry versatile rosé

Description: Pink in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features strawberry, cranberry, rhubarb, Rainier Cherry and Bay Leaves on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Note: Good price point would be $14.95

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Torched Sashimi of Wahoo and Tuna marinated in Soy, Sesame and Ginger.

Tasted: 30 June 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8+/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

VIENI CLASSIC BRUT 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $22.95 (On sale: $19.95)
Grape: 60% Chardonnay, 24% Pinot Noir, 16% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp & dry with complexity

Description: Straw with bronze tinge in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features yeast, lemon, green apples, pear, Honeydew Melon, Brazilian nuts, ginger, rose petals on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Champagne grapes but made in Charmat method.

Thanks to Suzie who was a gracious host to me at the winery.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Pistachio-Crusted Scallops served with Linguine and olive oil garlic sauce.

Tasted: 2 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CANADA 150 EXTRA DRY RED SPARKLING WINE CHARMAT METHOD, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 44% Pinot Noir, 30% Baco Noir, 26% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but full flavoured, delicious sparkler that is a hidden Canadian treasure

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features black cherry, strawberry, raspberry and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Suzie who was a gracious host to me at the winery.

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Rabbit served with a Sage, Rosemary and Black Cherry reduction.

Tasted: 1 July 2017 (Happy 150th Canada: congrats to my cousin-in-law, Kerry for becoming a Canadian citizen today!)

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

DOMAINE J. LAURENS LE MOULIN BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, Ac Limoux, France

21 Wednesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 85% Mauzac, 15% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Limoux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine J. Laurens
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice easy drinking original Champagne with lots of flavour

Description: Medium straw in colour with a low to medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light toasted oak, biscuit, lemon/lime, honeydew melon, Granny Apples, pear, honey and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Linguine with Clam Sauce.

Tasted: 11 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 180323

BOTTEGA VINO DEI POETI BRUT ROSÉ 2016, DOC Lombardy & Veneto, Italy

21 Wednesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $14.95 (On sale until 18 June 2017: $13.95)
Grape: Pinot Nero & Raboso
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Lombardy & Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bottega Spa
Alcohol: 11.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A nice, dry, soft, off-dry & easy to drink rosé sparkler

Description: Light pink salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features McIntosh apple, cherry, raspberry, candy apple and roses 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 Mustard Roasted Pork Loin with Squash Polenta.

Tasted: 18 June 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: 277202