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
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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
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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
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Southbrook Cabernet Merlot Shiraz 2006

May 11th, 2009 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
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Strewn Riesling Gewürztraminer 2007

April 9th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Gewürztraminer, Riesling No Comments »

This fusion of whites provides a deep bouquet and crisp palette. It’s an ok buy, but I would recommend the Pillitteri over it and even Strewn’s regular riesling.
Best as an aperitif
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste pineapple, apple, cinnamon
Smell tropical fruit, pineapple, pear
Food aperitif
Sweetness off dry
Price $11.95
LCBO# 467662
Score
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Hillebrand Artist Series Meritage 2007

March 22nd, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Red Blend 1 Comment »

After seeing this bottle time and time again in the LCBO magazine I decided to give it a taste. It’s a fairly typical blend, nothing stands out too much. You’ll find it Medium-bodied with soft, drying tannins and moderate acidity.
A blend of three classic grape varieties: 52% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, which undergo traditional red wine making.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste ripe berry, leather, spice
Smell black cherry, strawberry, vanilla
Food pasta, bbq
Sweetness dry
Price $12.95
LCBO# 56390
Score
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Rosehall Run Pinot Noir Cuvée County 2007

February 14th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Pinot Noir No Comments »

Making pinot noir is tough (it’s not called the heartbreak grape for nothing). Making a GOOD pinot noir is tougher. Making a GREAT pinot noir for under $20 is what Rosehall Run has done with their 2007 VQA vintage.
While drinking you’ll notice that for a medium-light red, this pinot has a long finish. Coupled with the balanced acidity it also acts as a palate cleanser making this vintage easy to drink for wine aficionados and to be aficionados alike. Enjoy this wine slightly chilled and on the first day you open it. While drinking now, the winemaker assures it will developer further over the next five years.
Tip: Release Date - March 1, 2009
At a Glance
Taste raspberry, vanilla, mild oak
Smell raspberry, strawberry, lees
Food duck, game
Sweetness dry
Price $18.95
LCBO# 0
Score
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Hillebrand Trius Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

January 16th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Canada No Comments »

Once again my favourite brand doesn’t disappoint! The 2007 vintage will surely be a crowd pleaser due to it’s well balanced palate and nicely integrated tannins.
This cab has an excellent nose but a bit more depth and structure on the palate and this would be an incredible bottle. Watch for subtle hints of cedar and spice on the finish.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste dried fruit, medium oak, red berry
Smell cassis, smoky oak, blueberry
Food pasta, aged cheddar
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 587956
Score
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Strewn Semi-Dry Riesling 2006

January 11th, 2009 Chuck Posted in Canada, Riesling No Comments »

This pale straw coloured riesling, served well chilled looked, smelled and tasted great in my new Riedel glassware. The past few cold winters didn’t affect the riesling vines as much as others, which may be why it’s the hottest white on the market right now.
Overall this is a great buy: crisp, acidic and flavourful. Proof why you should keep buying your whites from Ontario.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste grapefruit, lemon, pineapple
Smell pineapple, tropical fruit, floral
Food pork, chinese
Sweetness off dry
Price $11.95
LCBO# 616599
Score
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Hillebrand Trius Cabernet Franc 2004

December 20th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Cabernet Franc, Canada 1 Comment »

The Trius line is, in my opinion, the most consistent line of products in the general list. The cab franc being no different, but it is VERY different than your usual dull and overly herbaceous cab francs.
Watch for a hint of clove in the finish.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste blackberries, sweet oak, plum
Smell currant, smoky oak, sweet jam
Food beef, mushroom dishes
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 587964
Score
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Pillitteri Cabernet Merlot 2006

December 6th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Red Blend No Comments »

This red VQA is pretty bold, the meritage has a big aroma that at first all I could smell was matchsticks, but after opening up it moved more towards a tobacco scent.
The blend used to create this vintage was: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot. I wonder why the Franc didn’t get top billing over the Merlot? It’s presence is greater in the juice and palate.
Tip: decant this for a about 10 minutes
At a Glance
Taste smoky, violet, blackberry
Smell tobacco, leafy, plum
Food pasta with tomato sauce, cheddar
Sweetness dry
Price $12.95
LCBO# 349191
Score
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Pillitteri Gewurztraminer Riesling Fusion 2006

October 22nd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, White Blend No Comments »

An excellent buy that is full of flavour and aroma. In addition to the At a Glance section: the nose also has some spice and flint to it, while the palate is tropical, floral and citrus. How all this character got into this one bottle, I’m not sure but I hope Pillitteri keeps doing what they’re doing.
Blend: 51% Gewürztraminer, 49% Riesling
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste grapefruit, pineapple, peach
Smell grapefruit, lychee, floral
Food ham, chinese takeout, chicken salad
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.95
LCBO# 349126
Score
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Pelee Island Merlot Cabernet 2006

October 12th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Red Blend 1 Comment »

This VQA wine has a medium bodied palate with moderate fruit from the merlot, but leans toward the oak barrel with prominent notes of vanilla. The menthol is a nice addition from the cabernet side of the blend.
If you were wondering, the bird on the label is the American Goldfinch.
Tip: tulip glass, room temperature
At a Glance
Taste oak, vanilla, menthol
Smell vanilla, strawberry, violet
Food burgers, hot dogs
Sweetness dry
Price $9.40
LCBO# 619411
Score
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Trumpour’s Mill Pinot Gris 2006

September 20th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Pinot Grigio No Comments »

Newly available at the LCBO, The Grange of Price Edward has issued this very Canadian / New World pinot gris. This is a little more than I would usually be caught paying for a grigio but I wanted to be part of this wine’s grand entrance.
With a fairly rich and full mouthfeel, this white will go very well with a spicy Asian dish or takeout.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste tart apple, straw, citrus
Smell golden apple, apricot, peach
Food spicy asian
Sweetness off dry
Price $17.00
LCBO# 69336
Score
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Eastdell Estates Black Cab 2006

September 12th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Red Blend 1 Comment »

Probably the most interesting meritage I’ve ever tried, this VQA wine from Beamsville is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Baco Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. People taking notes will notice that the Merlot has been swapped out for the Baco Noir, which is no doubt what gives this wine it’s funky edge.
Medium bodied, oak aging and the baco give this wine a really interesting, almost sweet and sour taste that keeps you guessing.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste vanilla, oak, tart blackberry
Smell sweet blackberry, sweet cherry, smoky
Food stir fry
Sweetness dry
Price $12.95
LCBO# 609875
Score
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Kittling Ridge White Zinfanel Vidal

August 18th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, White Zinfandel 1 Comment »

Although I don’t keep white zin on hand, this white does make a pretty good summer sipper. Yes, I was surprised…the varietal I usually call ’sugar wine’ was sweet but not tooth-decay sweet or syrupy.
I would choose this bottle over the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi. It’s much more flavourful and expressive.
Tip: chill well
At a Glance
Taste strawberry, kiwi, melon
Smell strawberry, watermelon, bananna
Food apertif, fresh fruit
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $9.25
LCBO# 534693
Score
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Malivoire Gamay 2006

July 26th, 2008 Sean Posted in Canada, Gamay Noir No Comments »

We had the fortune of previewing this wine months ago at an event in Toronto. Since then I have been waiting “patiently” for this wine to make it’s general release. While I love a good Pinot, a great Gamay is irresistible. Very close to $20.00 but very worth it for that summer dinner or BBQ with good friends.
To describe this wine in a word I would choose “elegant”. While it does incorporate some of the earthy qualities of a Pinot, it’s a very refined and balanced bottle. Ontario climate certainly has a lot to do with this all star.
Tip: 10 minutes in the fridge before severing - slight chill
At a Glance
Taste wild berries, earth, passion fruit tea
Smell raspberry coulis, black tea, wild blueberry
Food veal roast with roasted vegetable salad
Sweetness dry
Price $17.00
LCBO# 591313
Score
Malivoire Gamay
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Hillebrand Trius Riesling Dry 2006

May 23rd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Riesling No Comments »

This gently pressed, cool fermented (14°C) juice was aged in stainless steel tanks to produce a very crisp, citrus and minerally riesling.
This vintage finishes crisp, tart and steely. At the time of writing, the 2007 vintage is available. It will be interesting to see how a warmer growing season will affect the end result.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste green apple, citrus (lime), mineral
Smell mineral, lemon, floral
Food light fish dishes
Sweetness dry
Price $13.95
LCBO# 303792
Score
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Hillebrand Trius Red 2004

May 17th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Red Blend No Comments »

The wine makers at Hillebrand have combined Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc to create a blend known around the world as a Bordeaux style blend.
The Red has definite oak notes and firm tannins (specifically oak tannins). Although not a fruity wine, the herbaceous notes of the Cabernet Franc still shine through.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste red berry, spice, oak
Smell black currant, oak, herbaceous
Food bbq steak, grilled red meat
Sweetness extra dry
Price $19.95
LCBO# 303800
Score
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Peller Estates Heritage Series Baco Noir 2006

May 12th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Baco Noir, Canada No Comments »

Here’s a sub ten dollar VQA that I was going to mark as being off-dry but then changed it to medium-sweet just because the sugars and tartness kept lingering on in the finish.
If you’re a fan of Niagara’s baco and have found one you like, buy a few bottles because in my tastings I have yet to find two vintages that even remotely resemble each other. Nevertheless, it keeps you on your toes!
Tip: if you want to drive the ‘wine guy or girl’ at the party nuts, have them blind taste a baco noir :)
At a Glance
Taste currant, sweet raisin anise
Smell cherry, sweet oak, plum
Food grilled vegetables
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $9.95
LCBO# 582841
Score
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