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

Posted by in White Wines

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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

ROSENHALL RUN JCR ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Rosenhall

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $21.05)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rosenhall Run
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautiful nose but the taste falls short

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, green apples, pear, grapefruit, oak spice, limestone and wood fire smoke on the nose. Medium body with high acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Too citric

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Salt and Pepper Prawns served with Chilli Peppers and Picked Onions.

Tasted: 27 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 326512

FREI BROTHERS RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Frei Brothers

Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Frei Brothers
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice, smooth and well priced for RRV Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light smoked toasted oak, lemon meringue, green apples, pear, peach, ginger, dill, oak spice, light butterscotch, limestone and white roses on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill the wine, and use the larger Chard style glassware

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Potatoes and Dill Sausage.

Tasted: 27 March 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 317891

ZACCAGNINI DAL TRALCETTO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2013, DOC Abruzzo, Italy

24 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cantina

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cantina Zaccagnini
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice Italian wine that’s under $20

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, bramble fruit, blackberry, cherry, plum, chocolate, thyme, arugula & light earth flavours. Medium body and tannin with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Interesting bottle with a piece of vine attached to it.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with arugula, prosciutto pizza

Tasted: 23 March 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: 396382

IN SITU SIGNATURE WINES HILLSIDE BLEND 2012, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

24 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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In Situ

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance: $14.05)
Grape: 55% Syrah, %40 Mourvedre, %5 Viognier
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Aconcagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: In Situ Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, juicy sweet fruit with some heat

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, raspberry, thyme, pepper, mint, chocolate, dates and lavender on the nose. Medium+ body with smooth tannin, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: The front labels on In Situ wines always contain interesting facts.

Drink now or in the next 3 years.  Great on its own, but one of the most perfect pairings with a good Syrah is a simple Beef Stew, seasoned with herbes de Provence, anise seeds and pepper.

Tasted: 22 March 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 431098

LAURA HARTWIG RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, Colchagua Valley, Chile

24 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Red Wines

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Laura

Cost: $17.95 (Clearance: $12.65)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hartwig Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

One needs food to enjoy this tart, tannic & high alcohol feeling wine

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, blackberry, pomegranate, unripe tamarinds, eucalyptus, pepper, graphite, tomato leaves, spinach & leather. Medium body with green tannin, good acidity, an average length.

Negatives: Too tart for me and a little too much heat from the 14% listed alcohol. Needs decanting.

Drink now or in the next 3 years and pair it with Pan Seared NY Strip Steak with Garlic Butter Sauce.

Tasted: 22 March 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 727495

PENINSULA RIDGE BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Peninsula Ridge

Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Good value Beamsville Bench Chard that’s not overtly oaky.

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon rind, yellow apple, pear, peach, coconut, oak spice & chalk. Medium body with good acidity, an average length.

Negatives: A little too chalky on the finish.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with home made slow cooked Chicken, Bacon and Sage Dumplings.

Tasted: 19 March 2016

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

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

.

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon rind, yellow apple, pear, peach, coconut, oak spice & chalk. Medium body with good acidity, an average length.

Negatives: A little too chalky on the finish.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with home made slow cooked Chicken, Bacon and Sage Dumplings.

Tasted: 19 March 2016

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

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

LCBO: 211490

CAYMUS VINEYARDS 2013, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, United States

21 Monday Mar 2016

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

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Caymus

Cost: $99.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caymus Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Oh my! This is decadent

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features layers of flavours starting with cedar/sandalwood, dark cherry, plum, blueberry pie, tamarind, raspberry, chocolate, cherry tobacco, espresso, dates, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and purple lilacs & peat moss on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: 14.9% alcohol, but what they hay!

Interesting Note: This is so smooth and delicious I could easily drink bottles of this, but then I would be broke, oh well, you only live once (that one remembers?)

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Spice-Crusted Strip Steak with Tamarind Sauce.

Tasted: 8 March 2016

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 222877

 

 

BADDAGINNIE RUN VERDELHO 2014, Victoria, Australia

20 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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baddaginnie-run-verdelho-nv-510x510

Cost: $18.00
Grape: Verdelho
Category: White Wine
Location American Airlines
Country: Australia
Region: Victoria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Seven Sisters Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting, unique & delightful. Love the nose

Description: Yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked pine nuts, honeysuckle, lemon, pear, pink grapefruit, kiwi, gooseberry and limestone. Medium+ body with crisp acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Verdelho is native to Portugal but now exquisitely grown in Victoria, Australia where the climate and soil suit the grape.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Angel Hair Pasta in a light lemon sauce with Pancetta, Pine Nuts and Chicken.

Tasted: 8 March 2016

Best Buy

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

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