WENTE MORNING FOG CHARDONNAY 2015, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California, United States

03 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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wente

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until Nov 6, 2016: $16.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Balanced tropical fruit with oak in this well priced California Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light buttered toast, lemon, green and red apples, peach, pineapple, mango, coconut, dill, ginger, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Drink from the larger Montrachet glassware

Drink now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Halibut Primavera.

Tasted: 18 October 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: 175430

DUTTON GOLDFIELD DUTTON RANCH CHARDONNAY 2012, Russian River Valley, California, United States

03 Saturday Dec 2016

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

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dutton

Cost: $47.25
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dutton Ranch
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

You’re paying for what you’re getting, an excellent California Chard
Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toast, lemon, green and red apples, peach, pineapple, mango, nutmeg, butterscotch, coconut, pine, dill, ginger, vanilla, oak spice and smoked roasted walnuts on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill the wine as it will mute all its favours. Love the fact that the wine is plush & full body while being 13.5% alcohol.

Drink now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Sea Bass with Sizzled Ginger, Chilli and Spring Onions.

Tasted: 22 October 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.9/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 287854

SOKOL BLOSSER PINOT NOIR 2012, Dundee Hills, Oregon, United States

03 Saturday Dec 2016

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sokol

Cost: $35.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Dundee Hills, Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sokol Blosser Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruit meets the barnyard

Description: Medium to light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, plum, raspberry, mushrooms, sage, vanilla, dried leaves and barnyard notes on the nose. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: A little overpriced for what you get

Drink now or in 3 years on its own or pair it with Pork Chops with Romesco and Creamy Polenta.

Tasted: 27 October 2016

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 7.5+/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 748434

CHÂTEAU HAUT SELVE 2012, Ac Graves, France

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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haut

Cost: $24.95
Grape: 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Haut Selve
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A lighter style of Graves, but not light on flavour

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrant, plum, bramble fruit, dried herbs, and peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body and tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Fire Roasted Veal Chop with Maple Glaze.

Tasted: 28 October 2016

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 738120

CREEKSIDE ESTATE THE TRAD 2011, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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No Unauthorized Reproduction @Jason Dziver

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance Price: $18.25)
Grape: 56% Pinot Noir, %44 Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Creekside Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style that is complex, smooth & delicious

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mouse. This wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon pie, pear, green apples, honey, ginger, dill and honeydew on the nose. Medium+ body, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Fresh Baked Clams.

Tasted: 30 October 2016

Best buy and top pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 390336

KINGSTON ESTATE MERLOT 2014, Mt Benson and Clare Valley, Austalia

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

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

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kingston-merlot

Cost: Under $20 retail
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Bridges Food & Wine Restaurant, Sarnia
Country: Australia
Region: Mount Benson & Clare Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kingston Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy drinking, juicy wine that’s delicious

Description: Dark ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, cherry, plum, mulberry, blueberry, candy apple, vanilla and light oak spice. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a decent length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Braised Beef Short Ribs.

Tasted: 3 October 2016

Best buy

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

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

JOSH CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, California, United States

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Red Wines

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josh

Cost: $17.95 (Sale price until Nov 27, 2016: $16.45)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple & easy drinking wine that flirts with sweetness

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features candy apple, cherry, plum, blackcurrants, mocha and clove. Medium+ body with light tannin, good acidity and a decent length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Beef Brisket with Red Wine and Shallots.

Tasted: 12 November 2016

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: 461053

HUFF ESTATE CUVÉE PETER F. HUFF 2010, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

26 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Huff

Cost: $40.00 (Clearance price: $28.05)
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO  Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Huff Estates
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic old vintage Champagne style

Description: Old gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, yeast, sourdough, brioche, lemon, green apples, grapefruit, mandarin, dragon fruit, orange rind, honey, sage, ginger and dill. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “This sparkling wine was handcrafted using 100% Prince Edward County Chardonnay & Pinot Noir. This wine underwent a second fermentation in the bottle and rested for 3 years on lees.” Huff Estates

Drink now on its own or pair it with Lithuanian Stuffed Eggs.

Tasted: 28 August 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 198754

CASA DEA ESTATE CABERNET FRANC RESEVE 2009, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Casa dea

Cost: $20.25
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Casa-Dea Winery
Alcohol: 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, fruity & earthy

Description: Medium-light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, blackberry, mulberry, raspberry, tamarind, graphite, champagne mushrooms and peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Sediment and tartrate crystals found in the bottle

Drink now on its own or pair it with Steak Frites.

Tasted: 26 August 2016

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

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

LCBO: 381327

CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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closson

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Closson Chase Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Tasted in 2016: A leaner citric Chard. In 2017 re: tested and much better. Flavours coming out, such as creme brûlée 

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lightly butter toasted oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, dill, kumquat, kiwi, marzipan, oak spice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: The finish has an overripe citric taste

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this Chard as the cold will mask some of its nuances

Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Veal Piccata with Angel Hair and Parmigiana-Reggiano.

Tasted: 8 September 2016 and 22 October 2017

Score: (in 2016: 8.5+/10), (in 2017: 9+/10)  Value: (in 2016: 8.5/10), (in 2017 price has gone down $1 : 9/10)  Total: (in 2016: 17+/20) (in 2017: 18+/20)

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+ (in 2017: 4+ out of 5)

LCBO: 148866