ROSEHALL RUN JCR PINOT NOIR 2010, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

19 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $39.50
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rosehall Run Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Burgundian in style & in price, but worth it

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, sour cherry, black cherry, raspberry, Champagne mushrooms, graphite, earthiness and lavender with peat moss on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill to 15C and use the balloon style glasses.

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

Tasted: 13 June 2017

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 326504

FABRE MONTMAYOU BARREL SELECTION MALBEC 2014, Patagonia, Argentina

17 Saturday Jun 2017

Posted by in Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: $15.20)
Grape: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Patagonia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Fabre SA
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great value summer drink, you may wish to get several bottles

Description: Medium purple to ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine sweet oak, cherry, plum, strawberry, blackberry, wild blueberry, eucalyptus, spinach, anise, cinnamon and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: A good opportunity to try Malbec from the southern region of Patagonia.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Honey Grilled Pork Loin with Garlic Black Pepper Stuffing.

Tasted: 27 May 2017

Best Buy at the clearance price

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: 477364

JANSZ PREMIUM CUVÉE SPARKLING WINE NV, Méthode Tasmanoise, Tasmania, Australia

17 Saturday Jun 2017

Posted by in Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $26.95 (Clearance Price: $18.90)
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Tasmania
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jansz
Alcohol: 12 % Alcohol/Vol.

A nice substitute for Champagne at half the price

Description: Deep straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features lightly toasted oak, brioche, green apple, pear, honeydew melon, strawberry, lemon tart and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Méthode Tasmanoise is a play on words for their connection to Champagne and to the same style they produce.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Pistachio-Crusted Scallops.

Tasted: 28 May 2017

Best Buy at clearance price

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 10/10), Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 566828

VASSE FELIX FILIUS CABERNET MERLOT 2013, Margaret River, Australia

16 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $17.55)
Grape: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vasse Felix
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A solid red blend from Australia

Description: Medium in colour with an intense nose.This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, dark cherry, cassis, anise, pencil shavings, leather, Portobello mushrooms, tobacco and tomato leaves. Full body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Spaghetti Bolognese.

Tasted: 30 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5/10), Total: 17.5+/20

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

LCBO: 446682

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $18.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Glen Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A solid Canadian Chard that’s a nice change from the standard model for an oaked Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon meringue, lime, red & green apples, peach, pear, light yeast, oak spice and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 1 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 484626

STONEHEDGE GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States

16 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stonehedge Winery
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A nice balanced Napa Chard between oak, fruit & acidity at a good price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light to medium toasted oak, butter, lemon, orange, pineapple, mango, ginger, dill, peaches & cream corn, oak spice and apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Touch to much heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Foie Gras.

Tasted: 6 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 311548

TERRES De SAINT-LOUIS ROSÉ 2016, Aoc Coteaux Varois en Provence, France

13 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Rosés

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Cost: $11.65
Grape: Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Coteaux Varois en Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cercle des Vignerons Provence
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but nice crisp rosé that’s a good alternative to Sauvignon Blanc for summer fun

Description: Light salmon in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features passion fruit, pink grapefruit, strawberry and pink roses on the nose. Light to medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Encircled by the Côtes de Provence, the Coteaux Varois en Provence appellation, ten times smaller than its big sister, has a very specific character, due to its terroir and very unique climate.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Asian-Style Scampi with spiced herb relish.

Tasted: 31 May 2017

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

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

LCBO: 234575

WAKEFIELD SHIRAZ 2015, Clare Valley, Australia

13 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 18 June 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Clare Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wakefield Wines
Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best commercially produced Shiraz from Australia

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, blueberry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, cassis, vanilla and lavender on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol.

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

Tasted: 8 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: 943787

PINK HOUSE WINE CO. CHARDONNAY MERLOT ROSÉ 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

12 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale Price until 18 June 2017: $12.95)
Grape: Chardonnay & Merlot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: House Wine Company
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Well this is an interesting rosé made from white & red grapes

Description: Salmon with an orange hue in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, cranberry, orange, McIntosh apple and orange blossom on the nose. Medium body with medium acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Can’t make up my mind if this wine is just okay or it’s good. Seems like a mood wine, ie depends on what mood your in may reflect how you view this rosé.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Roasted Tomato Basil Soup.

Tasted: 9 June 2017

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

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

LCBO: 324558

YALUMBA THE Y SERIES VIOGNIER 2016, South Australia, Australia

12 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until 18 June 2017: $12.95)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO general list
Country: Australia
Region: South Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best value Viogniers

Description: Deep straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lemon, peach, apricot, pineapple, ginger, peach pit, honey and jasmine on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Ginger Chicken Pad Thai.

Tasted: 29 May 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 470062