TOASTED HEAD CHARDONNAY 2014, California, United States

21 Thursday Apr 2016

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Toasted Head

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 24 April 2016: $15.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: R.H. Phillips Vineyard & Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
A nice balance of smokiness, wood & tropical fruit that makes this Chard stand above the regular mass produced California Chards

Description: Gold in colour with medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon meringue, smokiness, apples, cinnamon, peaches, pineapple, peaches & cream corn, butterscotch and coconut. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: LCBO puts this wine on sale a couple times a year, which makes it even more worth buying.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Chicken Thighs with Chipotle-Peach Salsa.

Tasted: 6 April 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 594341

VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN PINOT NOIR 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand

21 Thursday Apr 2016

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Villa Maria

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Maria
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, mid weight, well balance & delicious Pinot for under $20

Description: Medium ruby to garnet colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, rhubarb, forest greens and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

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

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Dry Rubbed Oven Roasted Brisket stuffed with Garlic, Rosemary and Pine-nuts.

Tasted: 7 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: 146548

WATERSTONE PINOT NOIR 2011, Carneros, California, United States

20 Wednesday Apr 2016

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pinot-noir

Cost: $22.25
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Special Order
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Waterstone Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Gorgeous!

Description: Medium light garnet colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, dark cherry, plum, strawberry, rhubarb, cloves, cola, vanilla, fresh peat moss, smouldering embers and violets on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, 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 Roasted Duck Breast with Pomegranate-Plum Glaze.

Tasted: 8 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: Special order

LUIS FELIPE EDWARDS LFE900 SINGLE VINEYARD RED BLEND 2012, Colchagua Valley, Chile

20 Wednesday Apr 2016

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Life900

Cost: $24.75
Grape: 58% Syrah, 33% Carménère, 4% Petit Syrah, 3% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lius Felipe Edwards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

From the bottle to the wine, this wine feels & taste expensive, but isn’t!

Description: Deep purple to ruby in colour with a high intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, dark cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, eucalyptus, espresso, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, tobacco leaves, oregano, sage and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: The vineyards that yield this wine are located 900 meters above sea level thus the name.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Seared Rosemary Mint Lamb Chops.

Tasted: 15 April 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: 431809

GRECO DI TUFO FEUDI DI SAN GREGORIO 2013, DOCG Greco Di Tufo, Campania, Italy

20 Wednesday Apr 2016

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GRECO-DI-TUFO

Cost: $14.50
Grape: Greco
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Special Order
Country: Italy
Region: Greco Di Tufo, Campania
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Feudi Di San Gregorio
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A gem if you find it

Description: Rich gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lemon, pink grapefruit, guava, passion fruit, pear, peach pit, orange rind and jasmine on the nose. Medium body with crisp acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Feudi Di San Gregorio has some excellent wines that are worth the buys, and all their labels are beautiful mosaics.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with arugula, prosciutto, cheese pizza. FYI Pie wood fire pizza restaurant makes one of the best and it’s called Hind Leg Pie.

Tasted: 7 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: Special Order

D’ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER and MARSANNE 2014, McLaren Vale, Australia

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

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Hermin Crab

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Viognier & Marsanne
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: D’Arenberg
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Clean & neat with some expression

Description: Bright hay in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, kiwi, peach pit, basil, nectarine, apricot, limestone with light jasmine on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Seafood Salad with Lemon and Garlic.

Tasted: 2 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: 662775

MONTECILLO GRAND RESERVA 2005, Doc, Rioja, Spain

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

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2013-10-30_14-37-10_web

Cost: $30.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Montecillo
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Lovely nose, but the taste falls short.

Positives: This wine features sandalwood, dried cherries, portobello mushrooms, sage & oregano. Medium light body with low tannins, average acidity and length.

Negatives: Taste is on the watery side..

Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 29 Nov 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 239277

SCOTT DIJON CLONE CHARDONNAY 2013, Arroyo Seco, Monterey, California

05 Tuesday Apr 2016

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Scott

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance: $20.35)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: USA
Region: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rutherford Wine Company
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, creamy with a nice balance of tropical fruit

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine featuring lightly toasted oak, lemon meringue, mango, pineapple, sweet corn, dill, ginger, oak spice, roasted almonds, butterscotch and Easter lily on the finish. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: This vintage is superior to the 2011 vintage that I reviewed in 2013, but also this one is $5 more expensive & worth the extra money.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Creamy Chicken Fettuccine with zesty nutmeg and lemon sauce.

Tasted: 31 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 99051

CASARENA SINERGY RESERVE RED BLEND 2013, Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

05 Tuesday Apr 2016

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Casarena

Cost: $21.95
Grape: 70% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Casarena
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive wine that’s juicy, complex, full flavoured & balanced at a price well below what it taste like

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plum, raisins, anise, cassis, spearmint, thyme, turmeric, arugula and violets on the nose. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Interesting abstract label

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Bone-In Rib Eye with roasted red peppers.

Tasted: 29 March 2016

Best buy & Top pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 366104

NEWTON RED LABEL CHARDONNAY 2013, Napa County, California, United States

05 Tuesday Apr 2016

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

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Newton

Cost: $25.00 US (Sale: $20.00), $28.00 US at Winery
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Miami Duty Free Airport
Country: United States
Region: Napa County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Newton Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, creamy delightful Napa Chard that is well priced

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, butter, lemon meringue, crème brûlée, green & red apples, peaches & cream corn, peach, mango, pineapple, ginger, dill, oak spice, limestone and Easter lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill and use the larger Montrachet glassware

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Oven Poached Dover Sole with butter, capers and white wine sauce.

Tasted: 28 March 2016

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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