DOMINIO BASCONCILLOS ROBLE 2013, DO Ribera Del Duero, Spain

13 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Red Wines

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Boscancillos

Cost: $16.75
Grape: Tempranillo blend
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Ribera Del Duero
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dominio Basconcillos
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

If the taste were as good as the nose, this would be awesome

Description: Dark to opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, raspberry, mulberry, dark cherry, Spy apples, white pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, coconut and fresh cut roses on the nose. Medium+ body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Needs at least 30 min to decant to bring out the fruit.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Chilli Coconut Braised Beef. 

Tasted: 6 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: 67371

CASTILLO DE ALMANSA ROSADO 2015, DO Almansa, Spain

13 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Castillo

Cost: $11.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Almansa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Piqueras
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A rosé that’s bursting with juicy flavours

Description: Bright pomegranate in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, rhubarb and red roses on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: So far this year this is my favourite rosé

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Chicken Breasts with Strawberry Red Wine Balsamic Sauce.  

Tasted: 31 May 2016

Amazing Buy, Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 445635

CAMPO VIEJO TEMPRANILLO ROSÉ 2015, DOC Rioja, Spain

13 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Rose

Cost: $11.75
Grape Variety: Tempranillo Rosé
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Campo Viejo
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently one of the best tasting Rosés for your money

Description: Light cranberry in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry candy, peach, strawberry, watermelon, rhubarb and Spy apple. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple years on its own or pair it with Sweet and Tart Chicken Wings.

Tasted: 10 May 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 175620

PIERREL LES ORESSENCES BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Ac Epernay, France

22 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Pierrel

Cost: $42.95 (Clearance: $30.15)
Grape: 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pierrel
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A savory Champagne

Description: Deep gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features yeast, toasted brioche, Boss pear, lemon meringue, Granny Smith apples, peach, pistachios, nutmeg,  and apple blossoms on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Bacon and Leek Quiche.

Tasted: 22 May 2016

Top pick

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

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

LCBO: 167502

DELAHAIE PRESTIGE PREMIER CRU CHAMPAGNE NV, Epernay, France

22 Sunday May 2016

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Delahaie-Cuvee-Prestige-Front

Cost: $31.05
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacque Brochet
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A fresh, citric Champagne

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features yeast, toasted oats, lemon, tangerine, Anjou pear, Rainier cherry, macadamia nuts, candied ginger and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with pork Bibimbap

Tasted: 22 May 2016

Top pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

COYOTE’S RUN RED PAY VINEYARD 2012, VQA Four Mile Creek, Ontario, Canada

01 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Coyote's Run

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coyote’s Run
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A funky style Pinot that will only please a certain palate

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features dusty old wood, cherry, barnyard, figs and mushrooms. Medium body with mild tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Lightly chill and serve in a Balloon style glassware

Drink now on its own or pair it with Duck Breasts with Port, Fig and Shallot Sauce.

Tasted: 27 April 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 79228

GRANDE RESERVE NAOUSSA BOUTARI 2008, PDO Naoussa, Greece

01 Sunday May 2016

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Naoussa

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price: $15.20)
Grape: Xinomaro
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Naoussa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Boutari
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Old Word aged wine at a bargain price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features dusty old wood, sandalwood, dried red berries, licorice, anise, black olives, champagne mushrooms and leather. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Similar to a Grand Reserva Rioja, but use the same glassware that you would drink a Cabernet in.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Penne with Bacon and Black Olive Sauce.

Tasted: 23 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 140111

RODNEY STRONG RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

01 Sunday May 2016

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Rodney Strong

Cost: $24.95 (Sale until 24 April 2016: $22.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a nice drinking, full flavoured & balanced RRS Pinot at a reasonable price

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, cranberry, crabapples, cherry, rhubarb, cinnamon, cloves and forest greens. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and if you can use the balloon style Pinot glass

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Turkey Cranberry and Grilled Brie Panini.

Tasted: 21 April 2016

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 954834

CLOS DU BOIS CALCAIRE CHARDONNAY 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

01 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in White Wines

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Calcaire

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Clos du Bois
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice, well balanced Chard from California

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features lemon meringue, peach, apple, some oak spice, hazelnut, dill and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Hickory Smoked Garlic and Herb Stuffed Cornish Game Hens.

Tasted: 19 April 2016

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

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

LCBO: 421941

CHÂTEAU MAMIN 2009, Ac Graves, Bordeaux, France

21 Thursday Apr 2016

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Mamin

Cost: $21.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer:
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, a touch acerbic on the finish, yet still smooth & delicious

Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, blackberry, black currants, blueberry, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather and mesquite. Medium+ body and tannins, with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Crispy Skin Trout with Mint and Coriander Pork Belly.

Tasted: 4 April 2016

Best buy

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

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

LCBO: 444281