DeMORGENZEN GARDEN VINEYARDS ROSÉ 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

01 Thursday Jun 2017

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Cost: $11.95
Grape: 54% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 10% Mourvédre
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: DeMorgenzon
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

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

Description: Light salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, apple, honeydew melon, passion fruit and white rose on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: DeMorgenzon originally founded in 1699, means “morning sun”.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with a Spinach & Goat Cheese Salad made with Warm Sun Dried Cranberries and Crispy Italian Pancetta with Basil Olive Oil 

Tasted: 25 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 485813

JARDIN BLACK MAGIC MERLOT 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jordan Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of blackcurrants and greens

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plum, tobacco, dried herbs, asparagus, green peppers, eucalyptus, cassis, black olives, black tea. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5%

Interesting Note: Disgorgement in 2015 with 60% from 2011 and 20% from 2009/2010 and aged 36 months in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Bison Ribeye with Roasted Garlic and Crispy Potatoes.

Tasted: 23 May 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 117/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 485508

VÉRTICE CUVÉE, BRUTO ESPUMANTE, CLASSIC METHOD NV, DOC Douro, Portugal

30 Tuesday May 2017

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance Price: $13.60)
Grape: 37% Gouveio, 27% Touriga Franca, 15% Malvasia Fina, 9% Viosinho
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves Transmontanas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style at a great price

Description: Rose gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features, light toasted oak, brioche, lemon/lime, orange, Anjou pear, pineapple, green apple, peach, limestone and Easter Lily & peat moss on the nose. Light to medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Disgorgement in November 2015 with 60% from 2011 and 20% from 2009/2010 and aged 36 months in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Lemon Grass Snapper Ceviche.

Tasted: 7 May 2017

Best Buy & Amazing Buy for Sparkling Wines

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance Price: 10/10), Total: 19/20

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

LCBO: 482679

CLOS DE GAT AYALON VALLEY 2007, Judean Hills, Israel

29 Monday May 2017

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Cost: $35.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Israel
Region: Ayalon Valley, Judean Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Clos de Gat Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Funky nose but the taste delivers

Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, plum, blackcurrants, anise, Portobello mushrooms, soy sauce, dried thyme, leather, tomato leaves and burnt rubber on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Wine is unfined and unfiltered. I Would definitely try this wine again but in a younger vintage.

Drink now as it’s past its prime. Drink on its own or pair it with Wild Mushroom Pizza with Rosemary and Caramelized Onions.

Tasted: 3 April 2017

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

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

LCBO: 280339

CLOUDY BAY CHARDONNAY 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand

29 Monday May 2017

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

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Cost: $36.95 (Clearance price: $25.90)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cloudy Bay
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne without the bubbles

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, yeast, lemon, lime, kiwi, peach, pear, apricot, ginger, dill, smoked almonds and peat moss on the nose. Full body with light tannin, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill, and use the larger Montrachet style stemware 

Drink now or in the next 5-10 of years on its own or pair it with Oven Poached Pacific Sole with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce.

Tasted: 22 April 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5), Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 359513

MONT ZOVO SA’ SOLIN VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO 2014, DOC Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy

27 Saturday May 2017

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Corvina blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Valpolicella, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Monte Zovo
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A mini Amarone that gives some good power at half the price

Description: Medium to dark garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plum, dried cherries, blackberry, raspberry, wild blueberries, tobacco, dried herbs, black olives, prosciutto and sandalwood on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my brother, Andrew & his wife Liz, who brought this wine to dinner at my house.

Drink now or in the next 3-7 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Oxtail with Basil Dumplings.

Tasted: 9 May 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 650713

DÜRNBER L AND T FALKENSTEIN GRÜNER VELTLINER 2015, QbA Niederösterreich, Austria

27 Saturday May 2017

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Grüner Veltliner
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Austria
Region: Niederösterreich
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dürnberg Fine Wine GMBH
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, yet elegant GV that’s light & refreshing

Description: Deep straw with a green ting in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features green apples, lime, peach, white pepper and limestone. Light to medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my brother, Andrew and his wife Liz, for bringing this wine for his visit to my place.

Drink now or in the next 2-3 of years on its own or pair it with Scallop Ceviche in an Orange Juice, Shallot & Scotch Bonnet Vinaigrette.

Tasted: 8 May 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: 464537

PATRIACHE PRESTIGE PINOT NOIR 2014, Pays D’Oc, France

26 Friday May 2017

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Cost: $12.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Patriarche Père & Fils
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rare Pinot that has substance & not sweetness for this price

Description: Garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, ripe cherry, raspberry, cranberry, anise, vanilla, nutmeg and wood ambers on the nose. Light to medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The Patriarche wine house was founded in 1780. Slightly chill between 13-15C and use the balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Cranberry Glazed Roast Chicken.

Tasted: 2 May 2017

Best Buy, but an Amazing Buy for a Pinot

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 522649

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS SMALL LOT RESERVE MERITAGE 2011, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Friday May 2017

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

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Cost: $40.00
Grape: 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Cabernet Franc, 24% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Rockway Vineyards
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Vineyards
Alcohol: 13 % Alcohol/Vol.

Tastes like an aged Right Bank Bordeaux, but for a price

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, plum, raspberry, anise, cloves, vanilla and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Worcestershire BBQ Fillet rubbed with Butter and Rosemary.

Tasted: 2 April 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 8+/10, Total: 17+/20

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

FANTINI GRAN CUVÉE ROSÉ NV, Acerenza, Potenza, Italy

22 Monday May 2017

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Anglianico del Vulture
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Acerenza, Potenza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Farnese
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but a great for the beach or pool

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, ripe cherry, raspberry and cotton candy. Light to medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The label has a Swarovski crystal

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ Chicken and Summer Squash.

Tasted: 23 April 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: 479352