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

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