CHÂTEAU DORLEAC REVALATIONS D’HUBERT De BOÜARD 2014, Ac Graves, France

28 Thursday Jul 2016

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Dorleac

Cost: $15.95
Grape: 97% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Dorleac
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, easy drinking but with substance & at a great price

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, red currants, dried berries, smoked cherry tobacco and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Reminds me of my teen years during summers when I tried Colts cigars

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years, on its own or pair it with Roast Chicken with Thyme and Onions.

Tasted: 15 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 444315

HILLIER CREEK ESTATES PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

28 Thursday Jul 2016

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Hillier

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $18.40)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hillier Creek Estates
Alcohol: 10.6% Alcohol/Vol.

10.6% alcohol for a Pinot?! Thank you HCE for substantially giving us lower than average alcohol level and yet produce a nice juicy, full flavoured wine at a good price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, red currants, cranberry, peat moss, barnyard notes and violets on the nose. Light to medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Prince Edward County produces some of Canada’s best Pinot Noir

Drink now or in the next 5 of years, on its own or pair it with Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Burgers with Sumac Marinated Onions. 

Tasted: 19 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 424382

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2005, DOCA Rioja, Spain

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Rioja Bordon

Cost: $23.95
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 16% Garnacha, 2% Mazudo, 2% Graciano
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Franco Españolas
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A top notch, youthful Gran Reserva at a good price

Description: Medium garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, cherry, red currants, dried bramble fruit, old leather, shitake mushrooms, vanilla, chalk, and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years, on its own or pair it with Braised Beef Roast with Cherry Balsamic Sauce.

Tasted: 20 July 2016 (Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, without her contribution to my site it would not have the positive impact that it has)

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 428060

SMOKING LOON CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, California, United States

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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smoking loon

Cost: $14.95 (Sale price until 15 June 2016: $11.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: California
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Don Sebastiani
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This simple wine will please those that like a sweeter style red, but with added substance

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features maple, blackberry, ripe raspberry, kirsch, plum, cinnamon and cloves. Medium+ body with light tannin, fair acidity and an average length.

Negatives: A little pricey at the regular price

Interesting Note: I like the new label.

Drink now on its own or pair it with maple flavoured potato chips.

Tasted: 13 June 2016

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: 55517

CHÂTEAU DES DEMOISELLES 2011, Ac Castillon, Bordeaux, France

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Chateau

Cost: $17.95
Grape: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Castillon, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Demoiselles
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Big on substance, low on price: Can’t ask for more

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, bramble fruit, blueberry, cherry, red & black currants, plum, coffee, thyme, peppercorn, cassis, anise, turmeric, tomato leaf, leather and railway ties on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Serve between 16-18 Celsius

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Gourmet Burgers made with Grass fed Prime Beef, Camembert, truffle Mayo, onion jam and tomatoes.

Tasted: 6 May 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: 348755

PENTHOUSE PINOT NOIR 2013, Adelaide Hills, Australia

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Penthouse_Pinot_Noir_2013_web

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Penthouse Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice mix of new and old world style Pinot at a great price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, strawberry, plum, truffles, mushrooms, pipe tobacco and violets on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 of years, on its own or pair it with Brisket and Mushroom stew served with Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuits. 

Tasted: 22 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 432864

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BRUT ROSÉ 2012, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

11 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Chateau de Charmes

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $23.95)
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château des Charmes
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, easy drinking sparkling wine that is great for summer patio drinking

Description: Pink in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features mild yeast, strawberry, cherry, McIntosh apple and cotton candy. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years, on its own or pair it with a light Summer Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Vinaigrette. 

Tasted: 26 June 2016

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

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

LCBO: 78055

GABRIEL MAFFRE SAINT FERRÉOL TAVEL ROSÉ 2015, Ac Tavel, France

11 Monday Jul 2016

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Tavel

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Tavel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gabriel Meffre
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A robust rosé full of flavour

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, raspberry, cherry, Spy apple, watermelon and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years, on its own or pair it with Arugula, Watermelon, Tomato and Feta Salad with balsamic glaze.

Tasted: 25 June 2016

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

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

LCBO: 450866

THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2012, Franschhoek, South Africa

11 Monday Jul 2016

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Chocolate

Cost: $39.95 (Clearance sale price: $.28.05)
Grape: 70% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, %10% Grenache, %6 Cinsault, 1% Viognier
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Boekenhoutskloop
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This simple wine will please those that like a sweeter style red, but with added substance

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, blueberry, ripe raspberry, kirsch, plum, cinnamon, cloves, dark chocolate, coffee, fennel & liquorice. Full body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years, on its own or pair it with Turkish Coffee Rubbed Brisket.

Tasted: 18 June 2016

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

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

LCBO: 129353

BURROWING OWL CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

04 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Burrowing Owl

Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burrowing Owl
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine transitions perfectly between warm summer days and cool nights

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon tart, green apples, tangerines, honeydew melon, peach, pine nuts, oak spice, limestone, dill, peat smoke and meringue on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Screw top

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years, on its own or pair it with Escargot in garlic and parsley butter.

Tasted: 2 July 2016

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

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

LCBO: 208694