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

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

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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

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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+

GABBIANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2013, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

04 Monday Apr 2016

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Chianti

Cost: $16.95 (Sale until 24 April 2016: $13.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gabbiano
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Hard to beat this Chianti Classico for the price vs quality

Description: Medium light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, sour cherry, strawberry, mulberry, sage, oregano, arugula and dried mushrooms. Medium body and tannins, with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Excellent palate cleanser when having it with food. Lightly chill the wine.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Angel Hair pasta in olive oil sauce with mushrooms and dried tomatoes.

Tasted: 1 April 2016

Best buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 219808

RAINBOW’S END CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

04 Monday Apr 2016

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Rainbow's End

Cost: $20.95 (Clearance price: $14.75)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rainbow’s End Estate Wine
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality, complexity, juicy, full force, delicious all at a great price

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

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The grapes are hand picked, unfiltered and no fining

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Broiled Marinated Hanger Steak with grilled butternut squash.

Tasted: 30 March 2016

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 425884

MÉNAGE À TROIS PROSECCO, DOC Prosecco, Veneto, Italy

04 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Menage

Cost: $14.95
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Prosecco, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ménage à Trois
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple yet full flavoured Prosecco

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a medium fine mousse. This wine features Anjou pear, McIntosh apples, peach and honeysuckle 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 Grilled Pita and Parmesan and Artichoke Dip.

Tasted: 3 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: No longer available at the time of this review

McWILLIAM’S HANWOOD ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013, New South Wales, Australia

28 Monday Mar 2016

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Mcwilliam_s_Hanwood_Estate_Chardonnay

Cost: $13.95 (Sale: $11.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: New South Wales
Format: 750 mL
Producer: McWilliams
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, uncomplicated & citric Chard

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features lemon, grapefruit, green apples, green olives and some limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The right glassware is key to enjoying this wine. I recommend the smaller cooler Chard style glass.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Pan Fried Chicken simmered with tomato, basil, garlic and olive sauce.

Tasted: 27 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 557934