KWV Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

July 15th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa No Comments »

Well there isn’t a huge story behind this bottle but it is a good easy drinking wine for a weekday evening.

Put this bottle in the fridge for 20 minutes before opening
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste cherry, cedar, cigar
Smell cedar, cherry, plum
Food grilled red meats, medium cheeses
Sweetness dry
Price $10.00
LCBO# 22004
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Naked Grape White Zinfandel Pinot Noir

July 8th, 2010 Chuck Posted in USA, White Zinfandel No Comments »

Friend of the site Vesna has deemed this white zin to be the best of the best. Take her word over mine on this varietal. Although the tasting notes are by yours truly, because c’mon…they don’t give websites to just anybody ;)

Overall this is a great summer sipper to be placed in the ice bucket among the beers, but only if there are ladies around so you can explain to passers by that it belongs to them.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste white grape, strawberry, kiwi
Smell strawberry, white grape, syrup
Food apertif, salads
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $9.95
LCBO# 0
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Cotnari Tămâioasă Românească 2007

June 13th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Romania, Tamaioasa No Comments »

We don’t review many sweet wines here but I’m glad this bottle came along. Not only is it a delicious dessert wine, it also hit two milestones for the site: The first Romanian wine and the first bottle from the Tămâioasă Românească varietal.

I’d like to send a big thank you to Angelica for the bottle, it was enjoyed at Sunday lunch with the family.
Tip: serve well chilled
At a Glance
Taste honey, white rasins, ginger
Smell honey, citrus, floral
Food dessert wine, pork
Sweetness extra sweet
Price $14.95
LCBO# 143123
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

French Cross Vineyard Blush

May 10th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Canada, White Zinfandel No Comments »

A light-bodied wine with sweet strawberry notes all around.

As always with blush wines, chill well
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste white grape, strawberry, peach
Smell pixie sticks, peach syrup, kiwi
Food ham, sandwiches
Sweetness sweet
Price $7.95
LCBO# 459925
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Spinelli Malbec 2008

April 13th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Italy, Malbec No Comments »

Glad to announce Spinelli remains one of the LCBO’s great bargains. If you aren’t a big malbec fan (personally I’m not after all the misses I’ve had with them) give this a shot because it’s not in the traditional style. Much more fruit forward and jammy, almost like a Merlot-Cab-Malbec mix.
This bottle scored extra points because of the price and wide usage as a bottle to open any day of the week or bring over to dinner at a friend’s place.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste blackberry, plum, jam
Smell dark berry, coffee, cigar
Food mexican
Sweetness dry
Price $7.95
LCBO# 143750
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Voga Pinot Grigio

March 21st, 2010 Sean Posted in Italy, Pinot Grigio 1 Comment »

We eat with our eyes, and shop with them too. A lot of fuss has been made online about the shape of this bottle. Well the bottle is cute, and reminds me of VOSS Water from Norway, which if you like trends than this is right up your alley. However, I’m more interested in what is in the bottle, as you should be too. I had major issues with this wine, so much so that I had to pickup a second bottle and recruit two regular wine drinkers (thanks Dana & Lauren) to provide a second opinion.
Seeing as the bottle is very non-traditional, I was surprised to find a stopper in it. This was just the beginning of what was becoming an awkward experience. The next item at issue was the smell. Pinot Grigio is known for a subtle, slightly floral or citrus leaf scent. The key to that last sentence was the word ’subtle’. I was greeted by an aggressive burnt wood scent, which seemed to be competing with Lemon Pledge. My volunteer tasters both noted the strange aroma, and were somewhat baffled by it. Finally we tasted. The first sip was, shall we say…unpleasant. But, this is where things begun to change. The second and third sips improved to the point where the wine became enjoyable. To describe the first sip, we settled on comparing it to the aftertaste of eating a sour candy, which to some isn’t always a bad thing.

We are careful when we encounter a wine that doesn’t live up to our expectations, especially those receiving a lot of media attention, but this just isn’t a winner in our books. Especially for the price.

Your thoughts and comments on this wine are much appreciated!
Tip: chill well
At a Glance
Taste green apple, lemon, citric acid
Smell burnt wood, chemical
Food seafood
Sweetness off dry
Price $13.50
LCBO# 669226
Score
Voga Pinot Grigio
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Southbrook Cabernet Merlot Shiraz 2006

March 11th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Canada, Red Blend No Comments »

I think this should be the typical three grapes for a meritage. An excellent blend for the price.
The shiraz shines well in this dry, mid-full bodied vintage.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste raspberry, black pepper, mocha
Smell red berry, earth, pepper
Food bbq ribs
Sweetness extra dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 45609
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Fazi Battaglia Sangiovese 2007

February 17th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Italy, Sangiovese No Comments »

Yes, another bottle that proves that Italian wine always goes with Italian food. It’s a good sangiovese at a good price, worth a try any day.

Warning: This bottle is so Italian you may be inclined to make your own tomato sauce.

Tip: Serve slightly chilled
At a Glance
Taste plum, sour cherry, light oak
Smell pomegranate, sour cherry, light oak
Food italian
Sweetness dry
Price $10.95
LCBO# 326306
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Pelee Island Merlot Reserve 2008

January 17th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Canada, Merlot No Comments »

Well this VQA is alright to drink but it’s not giving me a whole lot to write about…It’s a middle of the road, classic Ontario red - a pretty safe bet for any red meat.

Grapes: 85% Merlot, 15% Zweigelt. Do I know what Zweigelt is? I do not.

Tip: Serve slightly chilled
At a Glance
Taste dark berry, oak, vanilla
Smell black cherry, dark berry, light oak
Food grilled red meat
Sweetness dry
Price $12.95
LCBO# 612622
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Jacob’s Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2006

January 8th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz No Comments »

Overall a fairly well rounded blend, although the two varietals together made me lean towards a merlot; since the shiraz’s pepper notes weren’t announcing themselves loudly. Medium oak and rich plum were the center of attention in this bottle.
The bottle says this wine has won a few Asian awards…maybe my food pairing was wrong…lemme know!
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste dark fruit, oak, plum
Smell plum, dark berry, black cherry
Food grilled lamb chops
Sweetness dry
Price $12.45
LCBO# 106377
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Camplazens Syrah 2006

November 29th, 2009 Chuck Posted in France, Shiraz 1 Comment »

At first sip you can tell this is a french wine without even trying. The LCBO gave this wine a nice writeup but I’ll disagree with it. They saw plenty of blackberry, fruit and spice, I didn’t. They also mention it’s ‘very drinkable tonight’, while I’d cellar it for 2 years.
At least it’s 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Tip: If your buying syrah/shiraz, go Aussie (Penfolds), then Californian (Cline)
At a Glance
Taste oak, heat, red berry
Smell oak, resin, greens
Food well done grilled red meat
Sweetness extra dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 104752
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Carlo Rossi California Red 2007

October 31st, 2009 Chuck Posted in Red Blend, USA 3 Comments »

Everyone loves choices, with this wine you can choose to buy it in a: bottle, large format bottle, funny jug with a ring handle and even a box. America #$@% YEAH!
This wine conjures up memories of a previous review: Charles Shaw Merlot 2007
Tip: price listed is for the 1.5L bottle, don’t buy what you can’t drink within 2 days.
At a Glance
Taste cherry, plum, vanilla
Smell vanilla, cherry, plum
Food cold cuts
Sweetness off dry
Price $13.45
LCBO# 00070813
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Charles Shaw Merlot 2007

October 10th, 2009 Sean Posted in Merlot, USA No Comments »

Only in America? This merlot came to us for $1.99. Often called two-buck-chuck, this wine is mostly found at Trader Joe’s in the United States. One thing is certain, we have never encountered two-dollar wine in Canada…god bless America.
First thing is the colour, yeah thats right I spelled it with a “u”. Get over it. Great dark purple, with light edges. We were actually surprised as this wine is not offensive, easy drinking and generally “not bad”. Does that make it a California Cab? Hell no. But, if your having a group over or making large quantities of Sangria.
Tip: chill slightly
At a Glance
Taste cherry, strawberry, berry jam
Smell vanilla, strawberry, cherry cola
Food cheese nachos, cheddar, cold cuts
Sweetness off dry
Price $1.99
LCBO# 0
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Tatone Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2005

September 13th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Italy, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 3 Comments »

For those wondering, Tatone means ‘grandfather’. This Italian wine is rich, dry and full bodied.
The first thing you’ll notice is the deep purple colour and legs on this wine.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste blackberry, oak, bitters
Smell mulberry, black cherry, oak
Food grilled portobello mushrooms
Sweetness extra dry
Price $15.95
LCBO# 994616
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Citra Pinot Grigio 2008

September 7th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Italy, Pinot Grigio No Comments »

It’s good to keep a bottle of this value grigio from Abruzzo Italy in the fridge if you ever want a cold glass of white on a weekday evening.
On the plus side (or minus for some) this vintage weighs in at 13%
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste lemon, lime, golden apple
Smell lemon, mineral, golden apple
Food appetizers, brie
Sweetness dry
Price $7.95
LCBO# 17483
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Rosehall Run Chardonnay Cuvée County 2007

August 16th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Chardonnay No Comments »

This crisp, fruit forward chardonnay from Prince Edward County is a good choice for a Sunday lunch
Varietal Composition: 59% Chardonnay; 41% Chardonnay Musqué
Release Date: March 1, 2009
At a Glance
Taste golden apple, floral, light oak
Smell white grapefruit, golden apple, pear
Food fish, salad, goat cheese
Sweetness dry
Price $17.95
LCBO# 132928
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Ironstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

August 9th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, USA 2 Comments »

A benchmark California cab. Very approachable and hits all the marks one would expect.
Because I’ve cellared this bottle for a while, I couldn’t find it’s LCBO number, but be sure to check out their next vintage when it hits shelves. I’ve just put their merlot on my shopping list: VINTAGES# 704353
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste cassis, dark cherry, chocolate
Smell cassis, dark cherry, toasted oak
Food grilled red meat
Sweetness dry
Price $18.95
LCBO# 0
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Rosehall Run Cabernet Franc 2007

July 12th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Cabernet Franc, Canada No Comments »

If you’re not a regular Cab Franc buyer, give this bottle one last shot and it may change your mind. The warm growing season allowed the grapes to ripen well and therefore reduce the sometimes overpowering green notes of this varietal.
Vintages Release is on Aug 29, 2009
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste rich red fruit, oak, smoke
Smell black cherry, currant, sweet smoke
Food grilled red meat, game
Sweetness dry
Price $19.95
LCBO# 0
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Ruffino Il Ducale 2005

June 21st, 2009 Chuck Posted in Italy, Sangiovese No Comments »

Here’s a great example of a Super Tuscan done right. This IGT wine is only IGT because it bent the rules slightly but it was worth it. A very close cousin to chianti, this bottle will pair well with any Italian food or bbq’d red meat. Overall it’s nice and round, medium to full bodied with smooth tannins.
Blend is: 60% sangiovese, 25% merlot and 15% syrah
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste dark cherry, chocolate, cigar box
Smell plum, cherry, warm spice
Food grilled red meat, ravioli
Sweetness dry
Price $19.80
LCBO# 27797
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

Candidato Oro 2005

May 24th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Spain, Tempranillo No Comments »

The aromas were much easier to identify than the flavours in this particular wine. To add to the tasting notes below, there was something sweet and sour about this wine that stood out especially when mixed with herbaceous notes.
Although mostly tempranillo, this vintage was also blended with some grenache.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste sour berry, tomato leaf, bitters
Smell sweet smoke, spice, blueberry
Food cold cuts
Sweetness dry
Price $7.95
LCBO# 523811
Score
AddThis Social Bookmark Button Click here to have your say

« Previous Entries