Mar. 30 LCBO Wine Picks: Southern France + Easter

The next LCBO Vintages release will be in stores on Saturday, March 30th. Major focus in this release is on wines from Southern France (Languedoc-Roussillon), while the secondary feature is local Ontario wines for Easter. The onslaught of California wines continues with 16 wines listed - that's two more than the number of wines from Languedoc-Rousillon. There are lots of...

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Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 2008 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Received this red wine as a gift earlier this year. It's from the LCBO General List and is made using at least 80% Sangiovese, with the balance being Cabernet and Merlot. This wine was first made in 1927. RUFFINO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DUCALE 2008 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#045195) (D) - $24.95 Tasting Note: Sweet cedar and meaty aromas from cork. Medium intensity violets,...

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Mar. 16 LCBO Wine Picks: California Icons + Classic Euro Whites

The next LCBO Vintages release continues the recent promotion California wines - a trend that looks like it will last the entire month of March go into the beginnng of April with the California Wine Fair. The last release focused on the latest Trends in California, while this edition features wines from some of California's most iconic names. You really can't go wrong with...

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Domaine les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2010 - Wine Review

Purchased this fabulous red wine from the August 18, 2012 Vintages release. Comprised of Syrah and Grenache, and 15% Carignan, this is a tremendous value from the outstanding 2010 Rhône vintage. that is drinking great now! I can only hope you bought this back in August when I recommended it, because it's essentially not available any longer. DOMAINE LES GRANDS BOIS CUVÉE...

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Hope Family Wines - Portfolio Tasting

Last month I had the pleasure of tasting some new wines from the Hope Family Wines portfolio. The Hope family arrived in Paso Robles (California) in 1978 and current President Austin Hope, at the age of 8 years, began learning in the vineyards alongside his father, Chuck Hope. In the late 1980's, the Hope Family began selling their grapes to Chuck Wagner of the famous...

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Jackson-Triggs Proprietors' Grand Reserve Cabernet Franc Icewine 2007 (Niagara) - Wine Review

I first tasted this Icewine at the winery in January 2012 when I was in Niagara for the Icewine Festival. It was hard to resist buying this delicious Icewine when it was on sale for (less than) $20. JACKSON-TRIGGS PROPRIETORS' GRAND RESERVE CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2007 - VQA (#264325) (S) (200 mL) - $19.95 (on sale) Tasting Note: Unpleasant raisins and prunes from the cork....

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Anselmann Gewürztraminer Kabinett 2011 (Pfalz) - Wine Review

Purchased this uncommonly found white wine from the current release with the intention of opening it when having guests over who enjoy wines on the sweeter side of things. Suffice it to say - it was enjoyed by our guests. ANSELMANN GEWÜRZTRAMINER KABINETT 2011 - Prädikatswein, Pfalz, Germany (#909697) (MS) - $14.95 Tasting Note: Honeysuckle and pear aromas from the cork....

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