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

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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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

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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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

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Red Wines

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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

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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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

JARDIN BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

22 Monday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jordan
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid, well balanced Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, peach, butter popcorn, almonds, ginger, dill, oak spice and white rose on the nose. Medium+ body with 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 Salmon Poke and Crispy Plantains.

Tasted: 13 May 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 663336

CHÂTEAU LAUDUC ROSÉ 2016, Ac Bordeaux, France

21 Sunday May 2017

Posted by in Rosés

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: 75% Cabernet Franc, %25 Merlot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Lauduc
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant, light, crisp & simple rosé

Description: Light copper in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features raspberry, Rainier cherries, mandarin and pink rose on the nose. Light to medium body with light tannin, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Wahoo Tartare.

Tasted: 15 May 2017

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

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

LCBO: 491860

CONDE VALDEMAR RESERVA 2009, DOCa Rioja, Spain

21 Sunday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Valdemar
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Tempranillo Reserva; full flavoured, spicy & smokey

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, cedar, plum, dried cherries, raspberry, tobacco, dried herbs, black olives, Champagne mushrooms, peppercorns, black tea and cigar box on the nose. Medium+ body with medium+ tannin, 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 Vietnamese Smoked Pulled Pork Buns.

Tasted: 17 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 947309

IZADI LARROSA PREMIUM ROSÉ 2016, DOCa Rioja, Spain

21 Sunday May 2017

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Garnacha
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Larrosa
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, clean, crisp & pleasant

Description: Pale salmon in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features strawberry, white peach, pear and rose on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Tech sheet from Bodegas Larrosa has this as 100% Garnacha, but on it’s intro to the wine has it listed as Garnacha & Tempranillo.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Smoked Salmon Potato Tartine.

Tasted: 18 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: 490961