MUGA RESERVA 2012, DOC Rioja, Spain

11 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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muga

Cost: $23.95 (Sale price until 1 Jan 2017: $19.95)
Grape: 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Graciano & Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Muga
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant, lighter style of Rioja

Description: Deep, dark almost opaque ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plum, strawberry, blackberry, vanilla, leather and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Medium body with medium+ tannin, , good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Priced on the higher end, but well worth it.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Sage Cornish Game Hens with Pomegranate Molasses.

Tasted: 10 December 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 177345

ST. FRANCIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Sonoma County, California, United States

11 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by in Red Wines

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st-francis

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $20.40)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Francis Winery
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Solid California Cab for under $30

Description: Deep, dark almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, ripe blackcurrants, plum, blackberry, tar, tobacco, tomato leaf, dark chocolate and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 14.8% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Beef Brochette with Taleggio and Spicy Chocolate Sauce.

Tasted: 9 December 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 671164

BRAMPTON OLD VINE RED BLEND 2013, Western Cape, South Africa

11 Sunday Dec 2016

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brampton

Cost: $15.95 (Clearance price: $12.80)
Grape: Shiraz blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Brampton Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Smokey sweetness on the nose, but substance on the taste

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sweet oak, plum, dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, tar, chocolate and the smoke of burning fall leaves on the nose. Medium+ body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Sage Rubbed Pork Chops.

Tasted: 4 December 2016

Best buy & Amazing buy at clearance price

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 455303

NORMAN HARDIE NIAGARA UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Saturday Dec 2016

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

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norman

Cost: $39.95 (Clearance price: $31.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Norman Hardie
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

One of Ontario’s best Chards

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features buttered toast, oak, lemon, green apple, pineapple, nectarine, peach, cashews, dill, ginger, butterscotch and peat smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Priced on the higher end, but well worth it.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Sauteed Chilean Sea Bass with Ginger Poached Pears.

Tasted: 3 December 2016

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 184432

LA CREMA RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2014, Russian River Valley, California, United States

10 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by in White Wines

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la-crema

Cost: $39.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: La Crema
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, balanced, juicy & delicious

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, orange rind, peach, green & yellow apples, pink grapefruit, coconut, hazelnut, honeydew melon, honeysuckle on the nose and a hint of butterscotch. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it wit Tuna Tartare served with Avocado Brunoise, Sweet & Sour Sauce, White Truffle Oil and Red Caviar

Tasted: 19 November 2016

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 67231

MALIVOIRE CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Saturday Dec 2016

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malivoire

Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until 1 Jan 2017: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Malivoire
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Tangy & bright with a nice balance of the oak

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features mild toasted oak, lemon, yellow apple, pineapple, clementine, honeydew melon, pear, dill and butterscotch. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Aged Cheddar Fondue with Grilled Tomatoes, Bacon and Shallots.

Tasted: 2 December 2016

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: 573147

TAITTINGER BRUT RÉSERVE CHAMPAGNE NV, Ac Reims, France

09 Friday Dec 2016

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $60.95
Grape: 46% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Reims
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Taittinger
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious Champagne elegance

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, brioche, lemon, green apple, persimmon, white peach, pear, honeydew melon, honeycomb, almonds, and honeysuckle on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of the best values for higher end Champagnes and celebrated this fine Champagne today for getting my first hole-in-one in golf.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Truffle Risotto topped with grated fresh Parmesano-Reggiano.  

Tasted: 28 November 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 365312

MACMURRAY RANCH PINOT GRIS 2014, Russian River Valley, California, United States

04 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by in White Wines

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m-pinot-gris

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $16.10)
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: MacMurray Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.

If it wasn’t for the noticeable sulphur this would have been excellent

Description: Bright light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features white peach, pear, honeydew melon, fig and honeysuckle. Medium+ body with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: Noticeable sulphur

Interesting Note: Clearance price is the correct price point for this wine

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Calamari.

Tasted: 25 November 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10 (Clearance price: 8.5+) Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 47787

FOWLES STONE DWELLERS CHARDONNAY PINOT NOIR SPARKLING WINE, NV, Victoria, Australia

04 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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stone-dwellers

Cost: $11.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Victorian
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fowles Wine
Alcohol: 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, very dry, stone fruit character sparkler at a great price

Description: Deep straw with rose hue in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features pastry, lemon, peach pit, strawberry, green apples and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Instead of a cork, Fowles uses bottle cap to cap this sparkling wine

Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Jerk Chicken Pasta Salad.

Tasted: 16 October 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 430074

OGIER VENTOUX ROSÉ 2015, Ac Ventoux, Rhône Valley, France

04 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Rosés

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ventoux

Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Nov 6, 2016: $11.95)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Ventoux, Rhône Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ogier
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, delicious & at a great price

Description: Pale salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pink grapefruit, strawberry, Spy apples and basil. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 2 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Salmon.

Tasted: 17 October 2016

Amazing & 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+

LCBO: 134916