CHÂTEAU DES DEMOISELLES 2011, Ac Castillon, Bordeaux, France

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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

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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

Posted by in Rosés

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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

Posted by in Red Wines

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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

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