KANONKOP KADETTE CAPE BLEND 2014, Stellenbosch, South Africa

18 Saturday Mar 2017

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

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k

Cost: $18.99 CI (Sale price Feb 2017: $13.99 CI)
Grape: 44% Pinotage, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kanonkop
Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, smoky & easy drinking

Description: Bright dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, cherry, plum, mocha, Champagne mushrooms, vanilla, caramel, coke, spinach and peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body, light tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Kanonkop means “Cannon Hill” and is derived from the days when cannons were fired to signal the arrival of Danish trade ships into Cape Town harbour.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Cherry-Smoked Duck.

Tasted: 12 February 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10), Total: 17.5+/20

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

MIGRATION CHARDONNAY 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

18 Saturday Mar 2017

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

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migration

Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duckhorn Wine Company
Alcohol: 14.1 % Alcohol/Vol.

Classic RRV Chard, love it

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, butter, lemon, tangerine, peach, peaches & cream corn, fresh dill, lemon meringue, and apple blossom on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note:

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Poached Corvina Seabass.

Tasted: 13 February 2017

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 396309

CAMBRIA BENCHBREAK CHARDONNAY 2014, Santa Maria Valley, California, United States

15 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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cambria_benchbreak_chardonnay_2014_web

Cost: $24.99 CI
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Black Beard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Santa Maria Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cambria Estate Vineyard & Winery
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good balance between oak, fruit & acidity

Description: Bright light yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, butter, lemon, passion fruit, pear, ginger, oak spice and Eater Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Winery is Certified Sustainable

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Old Fashioned Linguine with White Clam Sauce.

Tasted: 13 February 2017

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

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

DRY CREEK VINEYARD DRY CHENIN BLANC 2015, Clarksburg, California, United States

15 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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dry-creek

Cost: $20.95
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Clarksburg, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dry Creek Vineyard
Alcohol: 13 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good balance between oak, fruit & acidity

Description: Bright straw in colour with an intense nose. This wine features orange, sugar snaps, pineapple, honeydew, kiwi, limestone and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Nice detail on the front label

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Crispy Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken.

Tasted: 20 February 2017

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

Best Buy

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

LCBO: 994442

NOVELLUM CHARDONNAY 2014, IGP Pays d’Orc Roussillon, France

15 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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novellum

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Novellum
Alcohol: 13 % Alcohol/Vol.

Unoaked but has subtle nuances that make it smooth with some complexity

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features orange, lemon meringue, pineapple, Spy and Golden apples, coconut cream pie, macadamia nuts and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: No wood was used; instead the wine was aged on Viognier lees to give it more substance.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Broiled Chicken stuffed with macadamia and camembert.

Tasted: 24 February 2017

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

Best Buy

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 390781

FEATHERSTONE JOY PREMIUM CUVÉE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE 2011, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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joy

Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $24.50)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Featherstone
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Simple yet elegant

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features brioche, lemon, green apples, dill, ginger and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The 2011 Vintages are on clearance as 2012 are now coming to stores. This sparkler is topped with a bottle cap not cork.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Grouper with Lemon Basil Cream Sauce.

Tasted: 5 March 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance Price: 9/10), Total: 17+/20

Best Buy at Clearance Price

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

LCBO: 310334

THE VELVET DEVIL MERLOT 2015, Mattawa, Washington State, United States

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale Price until March 26, 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Mattawa, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles Smith Wines
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Teeters on the sweeter side, yet still pleasant

Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose and some cloudiness. This wine features light cedar, dark cherry, plum, Christmas cake, nutmeg and pumpkin spice on the nice. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Parmesan Veal Burgers.

Tasted: 6 March 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8+/10 (Sale Price: 8.5/10), Total: 16.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 394742

CHARLES and CHARLES CABERNET and SYRAH 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale Price until March 26, 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles Smith Wines
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but nicely done

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, dark cherry, plum, cassis and anise. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Pork Loin in Fresh Plum Sauce.

Tasted: 6 March 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: 363838

BARON-FUENTÉ GRANDS CÉPAGES CHARDONNEY NV, Ac Champagne, France

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $71.95 (Sale Price: $57.75)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO Vintage
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron-Feunté
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

This Blanc de Blanc is not for the faint at heart

Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon zest, green & yellow apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lime, ginger, cardamom, salted almonds and fresh cut carnations. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my wife for this Champagne for my birthday

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point Oysters.

Tasted: 12 March 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale Price: 9/10), Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 471045

OYSTER BAY BRUT SPARKLING CUVÉE CHARMAT METHOD NV, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

24 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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oyster-bay

Cost: $17.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oyster Bay
Alcohol: 12 % Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking delicious sparkler

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features tangerine, pineapple, kiwi, cucumber, honey, limestone and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My wife’s new favourite sparkling wine

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops

Tasted: 24 February 2017

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

Best Buy

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 163634