Rosehall Run Unoaked Chardonnay 2019

Posted on
At a Glance
Overall tropical fruit, grapefruit zest, pineapple
Notes A very well done unoaked chardonnay from Ontario. The cooler climate allows for a touch of acidity which makes it nice and bright. Great to serve with rich or creamy dishes, I matched it with stroganoff. This wine screams summer patio!
Sweetness extra dry – 6 g/L
Food stroganoff, lobster rolls, fettuccini alfredo
Price $14.95
LCBO# 303776
Score

 

Audience Score

French Cross Rosé

Posted on
 
 
At a Glance
Taste strawberry, peach, tea
Smell strawberry apricot, tea
Food american
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $11.45
LCBO# 68551
Score        

Audience Score

Sandbanks Shoreline White 2013

Posted on
Not a bad wine overall but could use a little more structure for the price.  Seems flat and uninteresting which could be attributed to the fact that it is a blended wine.
 
At a Glance
Taste lemon, mineral, floral
Smell lemon, lime, peach
Food sipper
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 177485
Score     

Audience Score

Sandbanks Cabernet Franc 2014

Posted on
Light-medium body, very low tannins, medium acidity.  Very reminiscent of pinot noir.  No vegetative notes from the franc.  
 
At a Glance
Taste strawberry, raspberry, light oak vanilla
Smell raspberry, strawberry, light oak vanilla
Food pot roast
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 177485
Score     

Audience Score

Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Baco Noir 2014

Posted on
Smooth and really fruity.  Drinks like juice.  Not a repeat buy at it’s full price but worth it if you haven’t tried Baco Noir yet. 
Alcohol/Vol 13%
At a Glance
Taste blueberry, sour cherry, spice
Smell strawberry, vanilla, plum
Food pizza
Sweetness off dry
Price $15.95
LCBO# 426528
Score     

Audience Score

Pelee Island Pinot Grigio 2012

Posted on

Wine finishes with a mildly bitter and floral touch.  Fairly well rounded and off-dry.
Alcohol/Vol 12%
At a Glance
Taste floral, pear, mineral
Smell peach, honeydew, pear
Food chicken salad
Sweetness offdry
Price $13.95
LCBO# 326413
Score   

 

Audience Score

Copper Moon Riesling

Posted on
I gave one of the less expensive rieslings a shot today and can say you really need to spend a few more bucks to get a proper bottle of this varietal (in Ontario anyways).  I found this wine to be slightly unbalanced and overly tart with a finish that doesn’t make you reach for the glass.  Would be ok ice cold on a hot day.
Alcohol/Vol 11.5%
At a Glance
Taste honeydew, pear, floral
Smell peach, citrus, floral
Food appetizers
Sweetness off dry
Price $9.95
LCBO# 224295
Score

 

Audience Score

LeRoisier Reserve Merlot

Posted on
This non-vintage, multi-country merlot isn’t anything to write home about, although guests did enjoy it.  It’s not something I would purchase again but I would drink it over a mass-produced light lager.
Alcohol/Vol 13%
At a Glance
Taste cherry, vanilla, plum
Smell plum, vanilla, berry
Food american
Sweetness dry
Price $13.95
LCBO# n/a
Score   

 

Audience Score

Oak Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on
Smooth and easy drinking.  Has some structure, slightly more than it price range peers.  Found at the wine rack store. 
Juice from California and Canada.  Alcohol/Vol 13%
At a Glance
Taste blackberry, spice, cherry
Smell blueberry, blackberry, spice
Food american
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.00
LCBO# n/a
Score

 

Audience Score

Trius Rosé 2012

Posted on
This is a dry rose.  Not a cavity generating white zinfandel.
Made using juice from: Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  Alcohol/Vol 12.1%
At a Glance
Taste raspberry, strawberry, cherry
Smell strawberry, raspberry, citrus
Food salads, vegetables
Sweetness dry
Price $15.95
LCBO# 341743
Score

 

Audience Score

Magnotta Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Posted on
A rich cabernet that could masquerade as a ripasso.
Alcohol/Vol 13.7%
At a Glance
Taste cassis, oak, earth
Smell cassis, earth, spice
Food italian
Sweetness extra dry
Price $19.95
LCBO# n/a
Score

 

Audience Score

Megalomaniac Homegrown Riesling VQA 2013

Posted on
I had no idea this was going to be a sweet riesling but I enjoyed it for a glass and a half regardless.  It was liked by non wine lovers as well.  I would sip this on its own ice cold.  Keeps pretty well for 2 days in the fridge.
Alcohol/Vol 10.5%
At a Glance
Taste sweet white grape, pear, floral
Smell pear, mineral, sweet syrup
Food chinese
Sweetness sweet
Price $13.95
LCBO# 183061
Score

 

Audience Score

Angels Gate Merlot VQA

Posted on
Fusels are a problem with this wine making it taste hot and thin.  Firm tannins but they aren’t being backed up with flavour.  This wine was also hurt by the price point, too high for what you get.
VQA wine.  Alcohol/Vol 13%
At a Glance
Taste cherry, vanilla, alcohol heat
Smell blackcurrant, vanilla, spice
Food sandwiches
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 107722
Score

 

Audience Score

Pillitteri Gewurztraminer Riesling 2012

Posted on
A medium-sweet flavourful white wine.  Sip this on it’s own or enjoy it with apps or a ham dinner.  Keeps pretty well for 2 days in the fridge.
VQA wine.  Alcohol/Vol 12%
At a Glance
Taste pear, peach, honeydew
Smell pear, peach, honeydew
Food ham
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $12.95
LCBO# 349126
Score

 

Audience Score