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
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B&G Partager Rouge

February 26th, 2009 Chuck Posted in France, Red Blend 2 Comments »

Here is a nice example of an easy drinking French ‘Vin de Table’. It’s: non-vintage, very smooth, mild tannin, not complex, very drinkable and very affordable.

Blend consists of: Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Syrah
Tip: comes in a 1L bottle
At a Glance
Taste soft berry, tart raspberry, light toasted oak
Smell soft berry, strawberry
Food red meat, medium cheese
Sweetness dry
Price $9.95
LCBO# 130674
Score
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Domaine des Aspes Merlot 2005

January 31st, 2009 Sean Posted in France, Merlot No Comments »

I don’t drink a lot of French wine. There I said it. I’m also willing to bet you don’t either. Probably because the France section of the liquor store is a scary place. But in my quest for great wines under $20 I came across Domaine des Aspes a few years ago.
This is the first red from them that I have tried (the whites are terrific). This is an easy going Merlot with lots of character, nice even black fruit. Does not need food to shine, also a crowd pleaser. I picked up a case and stashed it in my collection for everyday wine.
Tip: Released on Jan 10, 2009
At a Glance
Taste black berry, cedar, plum
Smell dark berries, black cherry, wild raspberry
Food beef stew, grilled vegetables, light pasta
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 951665
Score
ddamerlot2.jpg
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Chantovent Shiraz 2001

June 13th, 2008 Chuck Posted in France, Shiraz No Comments »

Cellaring the right bottles and opening them at peak is a great experience. I’ve had this bottle in my rack for 3 or 4 years, and over the years it’s conjured up an very complex yet balanced nose.
As good as the feeling is, it’s not as fun when you find out you can’t get your hands on any more (at least until you visit the winery in the South of France)
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste ripe dark berries, oak
Smell raspberry, plum, vanilla
Food burgers, roast beef
Sweetness dry
Price $11.05
LCBO# 589457
Score
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Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis 2006

June 1st, 2008 Chuck Posted in Chablis, France No Comments »

The fruit for this 2006 vintage was sourced from a single vineyard, which is key for picking up terroir characteristics.
We sampled this wine at the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show and found it very refreshing due to it’s crisp acidity and the fact that it’s never seen oak.
Tip: Released on April 12, 2008
At a Glance
Taste grapefruit, lemon, light floral
Smell mineral, floral, citrus
Food aperitif, white fish with lemon
Sweetness extra dry
Price $19.95
LCBO# 72363
Score
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Chateau Pesquie Terrasses 2005

May 9th, 2008 Sean Posted in France, Red Blend 1 Comment »

O.k., this one was a little tricky. I feel like I’m walking on a sharp edge here. Just before being released this wine scored a VERY high mark from a well known wine critic. Sometimes when this happens our expectations for a sub $20 bottle of wine go through the roof.
This bottle of French wine was, well, obviously French. It held the characteristics of French wine from the medium structure tannins to earth notes and that rustic feeling that’s hard to describe. However, upon further sipping you’ll notice round fruit and implied sweetness breaking through. Then a marriage of tannins, fruit and alcohol suddenly come alive. While we throughly enjoyed this wine, perhaps our hopes were set a little too high?
Tip: In the bottle: Syrah and Grenache
At a Glance
Taste strawberry, plum, cedar
Smell plum, raspberry, vanilla
Food anything bbq
Sweetness extra dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 652313
Score
chateaupesquieterrassesred.jpg
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Domaine des Aspes Viognier 2006

April 29th, 2008 Sean Posted in France, Viognier No Comments »

It was Domaine des Aspes that first got me hooked on Viognier about 2.5 years ago. Viognier (like Riesling) can be produced in a range of styles from reserved and floral to bold and tropical. This particular version from France is well rounded, balanced sweetness against acid with clear citrus and peach.
I can’t encourage you enough to try the variety of grape. I turned to it when I just couldn’t drink another Chardonnay or Riesling. With its re-emergence in modern wine making this will be the come back kid for the next few years.
Tip: Enjoy on it’s own any day of the year.
At a Glance
Taste honeydew, white peach, green apple
Smell firm melon, pear, white flowers
Food Frittata
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 712638
Score
Viognier Label
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Domaine des Salices Viognier 2006

March 23rd, 2008 Sean Posted in France, Viognier No Comments »

Sometimes you just don’t want another Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. You crave for something familiar but different enough that you’ll reawaken your taste buds and remember that there is something other than red wine. With Spring at our door step its important to bring back the white. Soon it will be hot and steamy and nothing hits the spot on a sunny afternoon better than a well chilled white.
Viognier is making a slow comeback. People are discovering a bold and complex white that is crisp and clean. Viognier can range from tropical fruit to very floral and dry. This particular bottle is full of floral and citrus notes and very dry, but very approachable.
Tip: March 15 Vintages Release
At a Glance
Taste citrus, white flowers, clove
Smell orange blossom, citrus, green apple
Food salmon with light cream sauce
Sweetness dry
Price $13.95
LCBO# 487272
Score
Salices Viognier
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Christian Moueix Merlot 2003

March 7th, 2008 Chuck Posted in France, Merlot No Comments »

Yes, some people may say it’s only merlot, but this merlot is by Christian Moueix. Not sure who that is? that’s ok, neither did I until researching him and found he is the mastermind behind wines such as Dominus which at the time of writing the 2004 goes for just over $200/bottle. Too rich for my blood, unless I get a transfusion. But I think I may be getting a deal on this $14.85 bottle.
Pour this wine into your glass 5-10 minutes in advance as it opens up nicely.
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste ripe dark fruit, blackberry
Smell raspberry, strawberry, cedar
Food baked pasta
Sweetness extra dry
Price $14.85
LCBO# 961227
Score
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Chateau De Quincay Sauvignon Selection Tradition 2006

March 2nd, 2008 Sean Posted in France, Sauvignon Blanc 1 Comment »

Ignore the big fancy French name. What we got here folks is Sauvingnon Blanc. What is special about this wine is it comes from a part of France that is known for making outstanding wines (Loire region). It’s the next door neighbor of where the really expensive stuff comes from. This wine is zesty and has lots of character for what we sometimes think of as a boring white grape. Very crisp, very clean. Total bargain.
Tip: March 1, 2008 Vintages Release - hurry! Chill well.
At a Glance
Taste green apple, citrus, honeydew
Smell white flowers, fresh herbs, cedar
Food grilled salmon, goat cheese
Sweetness
Price $12.95
LCBO# 66183
Score
Quincay Sauvignon
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Azzaro Cabernet Sauvignon

January 17th, 2008 Archive Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, France No Comments »

From the winemaker azzarowine.com
Harmoniously blending the many facets of the Languedoc Roussillon soils, this 100 % Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the freshness and elegance of the region’s
cooler zones combined with the full bodied exuberance of the coastal areas.

Beautiful red garnet with purple lights, the nose is rich of black currant, strawberry pepper and liquorice.

The tongue is smooth with notes of red fruits, and mint. The final is long with silky tannins.
A wine welcoming in the notes of the South of France which will be appropriate with grilled meat and Mediterranean food
$ 12.85
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine
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Azzaro Sauvignon Blanc

January 17th, 2008 Archive Posted in France, Sauvignon Blanc No Comments »

From the winemaker azzarowine.com
This wine typifies the mosaic regions of Languedoc, France. Each selected zone provides its own characteristics: body, cooler ground temperature, fat, and volume-representing the more expressive Mediterranean region.

Sauvignon is pale yellow with currant aromas. The burst of flavour in mouth is clear with hints of exotic fruits that charm all palates.
Floral and aromatic with structure and acidity, makes this a great choice for seafood, fish and Chinese dishes. Also great served chilled as an aperitif.
$ 12.85
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine
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Azzaro Cinsault

January 17th, 2008 Archive Posted in Cinsault, France No Comments »

From the winemaker azzarowine.com
One of the oldest grape varieties in the South of France, Cinsault is mainly used for Rosé wine. This wine bursts with aromas of Wild rose and blended with raspberry and sour cherry notes. Also this rose made from cinsault have great perfume and supple texture.
Serve chilled with friends at summer at BBQ’s, and throughout the year especially with Mediterranean food such as pasta, pizza, chicken, fish and salads.
$ 11.95
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine
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Azzaro Syrah

January 17th, 2008 Archive Posted in France, Shiraz No Comments »

From the winemaker azzarowine.com
This syrah is made from vines planted on diverse regions and Mediterranean zones producing exuberant wines dominated by fruit.

This produces a richly flavoured, concentrated wine that is red garnet and purple lights with a nose of red fruits: raspberry, currants, red flowers and vanilla.

Round in mouth, the taste is ample and supple, with long silky tannins.
Enjoy this red wine a beat with chilled tapas, grilled meat, BBQ and special cheeses.
$ 12.85
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
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Azzaro Merlot

January 17th, 2008 Archive Posted in France, Merlot No Comments »

From the winemaker azzarowine.com
This is a dark red wine with aromas of poppies, cherry and black currants. Smooth and delicious, its silky tannins will enchant all palates.
Enjoy it throughout a meal with both red and white meats and cheese. Perfect as a before-dinner drink with varied appetizers. Serve chilled.
$ 12.85
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine
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