DOMAINE DE LA BAUME ELISABETH VIOGNIER 2014, IGP Pays D’oc, Southern France

22 Saturday Oct 2016

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

≈ Leave a comment


elisabeth

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: South France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine De La Baume
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

How a Viognier should be, smooth, oily with tropical & citric fruit

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, apricot, lychee, mango, orange, pink grapefruit, honey and peach pit. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Drink now or in 5 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Pad Thai.

Tasted: 8 September 2016

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 438796

CHATEAU DES CHARMES BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


chateau-des-charmes-chard

Cost: $14.95 (Sale until Oct 9, 2016: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau des Charmes
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, not complex but full flavoured Chard

Description: Straw in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon meringue, pineapple, kumquat, pear, backed apple, buttered popcorn, oak spice and vanilla. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: The intense nose may deter some people

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Old Fashioned Linguine with White Clam Sauce.

Tasted: 23 September 2016

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (8.5+/10 sale price) Total: 17.5/20

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

LCBO: 81653

WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL CHARDONNAY 2015, Padthaway Adelaide Hills, Australia

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


wolf-blass-yellow-label-chard

Cost: $15.10 (Sale until Oct 9, 2016: $12.60)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Padthaway & Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wolf Blass
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking crisp yet balanced Chard

Description: Light gold to straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon/lime, pineapple, apple crumble pie, grapefruit, light oak spice and flint on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Touch sulphur on the finish

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

Tasted: 23 September 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (8.5+/10 sale price) Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 226860

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR OLD VINES 2015, VQA Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


henry-of-pelham

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, full flavoured & delicious

Description: Dark purple to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, mulberry, dark cherry, blackberry, cracked peppers, cinnamon, cloves, and smoked ambers on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is Henry of Pelham’s 2nd tier Baco, their first, the Reserve is the best Baco on the planet, or at least what I’ve tasted. Their 2nd tier follows big brother nicely. Use the same ballon glass for Pinot Noir and lightly chill the wine.

Drink now or in 7 years on its own or pair it with Provencal Braised Lamb Chops.

Tasted: 24 September 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 459966

LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’IVOIRE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE NV, Ac Burgundy, France

17 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


louis

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Mostly Chardonnay with some white grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Bouillot
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant substitute for Champagne at half the price

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

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7 years on its own or pair it with Littleneck Clams Casino topped with Smoked Bacon, Charred Jalapeño and Burnt Lime.

Tasted: 25 September 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 48801

ANCIANO GRAN RESERVA TEMPRANILLO 2007, DOP VALDEPEÑAS, Spain

17 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


anciano

Cost: $12.95 (Sale price until 9 Oct 2016: $10.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Valdepeñas
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Navalon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the beautiful bottle & the price & the taste isn’t too bad either

Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light sandalwood, raisin, plum, cherry, mushrooms and some leather on the finish. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Don’t expect this simple wine to be typical of a Grand Reserva that sells for over $20+

Interesting Note: Has the classic Rioja gold metal like mesh over the bottle to prevent counterfeiting.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Caramelized Mushrooms, Roasted Garlic, and Cherry Tomato Pasta.

Tasted: 7 October 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 464214

GIOGANTINU VERMENTINO DI GULLURA 2014, DOCG Gallura, Sardinia, Italy

17 Monday Oct 2016

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

≈ Leave a comment


Giogantinu

Cost: $17.95 (Clearance: $12.60)
Grape: Vermentino
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Gallura, Sardinia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Giogantinu
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the bottle, love the label, love the wine

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features white peach, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, guava, papaya, lemon rind, flint, limestone and gardenia on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Lucky at the clearance price I bought what was left at the LCBO that I bought this wine.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years, on its own or pair it with Oven Baked Honey Garlic Game Hen.

Tasted: 11 July 2016

Top Pick, Best Buy & Amazing Buy at clearance price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 435461

GHOST PINES WINEMAKER’S BLEND MERLOT 2013, 86% Sonoma County, 14% Napa County, California, United States

17 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


ghost-pines-merlot

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 8 Nov 2016: $16.95)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: 86% Sonoma County, 14% Napa County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ghost Pines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better tastes and buys for California red coming from a premium AVA

Description: Dark garnet to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, mulberry, black cherry, blackberry, mocha, cinnamon, cloves, and violets on the nose. Full body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Ghost Pines consistently has great value for the quality of wine they produce

Drink now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Scallion and Brie stuffed Burgers on Grilled Focaccia Rosemary Buns.

Tasted: 14 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: 454876

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


12 BF Chard Pic

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced between citric, tropical fruit, acidity & oak

Description: Medium bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, apple, pineapple, Freestone peaches, oak spice, clove, dill and white flower on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Kate from the Teaching Winery for assisting me at the winery’s tasting area.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with pizza bianche with fior di latte, cherry tomatoes, arugula & prosciutto di Parma

Tasted: 20 August 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BRUT 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


balance brut

Cost: $23.15
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but pleasant sparkler

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features lemon/lime, white peach, green apples and light yeast 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 baked three cheddar cheese.

Tasted: 21 August 2016

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

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