Providing a Unique & Affordable Selection of High Quality Red Wines and White Wines for Your Enjoyment. Also featured: Rosé, Port, Icewine, Champagne and Sparkling Wine for Special Occasions. Cheers!
My experience with Bruts/Sparkling Wines/Champagnes is quite limited, but if you enjoy this type of wine, you might be interested in this sparkler from Spain.
Tasting Note:
Apple, lime aromas. Crisp apple and nutty flavours. Dry. It's well made and fills your mouth with bubbles quite well with every sip. Will be enjoying this with Tandoori Chicken on the BBQ.
TIERRA ALTA RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2007 - Maule Valley, Chile (#236067) (XD) - $13.95
Tasting Note:
Lovely blackberry, mocha, wet earth, flower aromas. Palate has ripe fruit with raspberry at the fore. Dry with a touch of tannin. Medium-bodied. Will pair nicely with the spicy, creamy chicken dish that I will be enjoying tonight.
This Special Edition Vintages release focuses entirely on Ontario wines from the Niagara region - to coincide with the Niagara Wine Festival that begins the following week. The release is a small one, with only 20 wines. Hope you enjoy my top 5 picks!
Red Wine:
VINTAGE INK MARK OF PASSION MERLOT/CABERNET 2009 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#250209) (XD) - $17.95
This wine is a good reminder me of why you should always smell the cork when you open a bottle of wine. Do you smell the cork when you open a bottle of wine? If not, then definitely start taking a whiff.
CHALONE MONTEREY COUNTY CHARDONNAY 2009 - Monterey County, California, USA (#080226) (XD) - $16.95
Tasting Note:
Cork: Very nice citrus, orange, banana aromas. Lovely butter, toast, banana aromas in the glass. Interesting crisp green apple, plus butter and pear on the palate. Crisp and refreshing. Slightly acidic on the long finish. Very well-made and could have been aged another 1-2 years, but definitely enjoyable now. Will be having this with bhel puri.
Judging from the cover of the next LCBO Vintages Release on , this doesn't appear to be a strong release. However, we all know that you should never judge a book (or magazine!) by its cover.
The first major feature in this release focuses on blends from around the world. My favourites blends are the classic Bordeaux (Cab Sauv, Merlot & Cab Franc) and southern Rhône GSM (Grenache, Syrah & Mourvèdre) blends. In this release, none stood as great value.
Second focus of this Vintages magazine celebrates Italy's 150th anniversary of unification. Only 1 wine from Italy made my list (Montalcino from Tuscany). Far more interesting is the feature on Sake. I've only ever had Sake once before, so, the 2 listed below look quite appealing.
Enjoy my picks for this week and, as always, let me know if you try any of these! The next Vintages Release () is a Special Edition that features only wines from Ontario to coincide with the upcoming Niagara Wine Festival. Stay tuned. Cheers!
Red Wine:
CHÂTEAU PEYROS VIEILLES VIGNES 2006 - AC Madiran, Midi, France (#234997) (XD) - $18.95
TIERRA ALTA RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2007 - Maule Valley, Chile (#236067) (XD) - $13.95
LAMADRID SINGLE VINEYARD RESERVA MALBEC 2008 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#234492) (XD) - $15.00
LUIS FELIPE EDWARDS RESERVA MERLOT 2009 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#250340) (XD) - $14.95
CHÂTEAU LA MAISONNETTE 2008 - AC Côtes de Blaye, Bordeaux, France (#226191) (XD) - $14.95
REBENFELD BLAUFRÄNKISCH 2007 - AC Burgenland, Austria (#218420) (XD) - $15.95
SAN FILIPPO LO SCORNO ROSSI DI MONTALCINO 2008 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#232397) (XD) - $19.95
White Wine:
GIESEN THE BROTHERS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#247213) (XD) - $19.95
Life outside of wine has been keeping me busy, hence the long time between wine reviews. Tonight's wine is from the general LCBO listing and was recently gifted to us.
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL CABERNET/SHIRAZ 2008 - South Australia, Australia (#285544) (D) - $16.55
Tasting Note:
Red berries, touch of earth aromas. Gentle ripe fruit, currants and light oak on the palate. Medium-full bodied. Chalky tannins really get onto your teeth - will definitely have to brush well tonight! Not big and uncomplicated. Good, everyday wine that will go well with many simple meat dishes, including curries and pastas.
Mmmm...Southern France. One of my favourite regions for wines of high quality that don't hit your wallet hard. Three from this region made my list, with the Sommelière being my top value pick of the entire release.
The secondary feature in the Vintages Release highlights other wine regions of California that are outside of the legendary Napa and Sonoma valleys. The Chardonnay from Monterey looks good!
My wine pick from Ontario comes from Cattail Creek's 2009 Riesling. Made in an off-dry style - this one looks like a winner!
The Parés Baltà from Spain is an Organic wine. For anyone who may have a very special occasion coming up, I've also included 2 Champagne offerings, which will surely add to your celebrations.
I hope you enjoy my picks for this Saturday's release. Cheers!
Red Wine:
CHÂTEAU DE FLAUGERGUES CUVÉE SOMMELIÈRE 2007 - La Méjanelle, AC Coteaux du Languedoc, France (#065896) (XD) - $17.95
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tasting Note:
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