Ventoux Rose 2019

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At a Glance
Overall floral, hibiscus, honey, vaguely citrus, underripe strawberry
Notes Roses get a bit of a bad reputation for being sickly sweet. This rose is definitely not that. The first time I tasted it a few years ago it was an instant favorite. Lately, it is so dry and austere it needs a moderately sweet companion to be properly enjoyed.
Sweetness extra dry – 2 g/L
Food fresh berries or berry forward sweet desserts
Price $14.55
LCBO# 134916
Score  

Gerard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres 2011

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Drink in 1-2 yrs.  Structured but needs time.  Slight peppercorn on the finish.  Full body and extra dry.
Blend of: Syrah, Carignan, Mourvedre
At a Glance
Taste blueberry, mulberry, vanilla
Smell mulberry, oak, black tea
Food pot roast
Sweetness extra dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 177485
Score     

Château Saint-Roch Chimères 2013

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This wine will benefit from an hour in the decanter.  I find most french wines do.  This wine scored a 93 but it’s a 3.5 on our scale since it JUST snuck in under our $20 limit.  A nice bottle but we can do a bit better for the price.
60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan
At a Glance
Taste black cherry, mulberry, spice
Smell black cherry, plum, medium french oak
Food pot roast
Sweetness dry
Price $19.95
LCBO# 119354
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Château Godard Bellevue 2011

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Rich and concentrated dark berry flavours with a very dry and oak/spice finish.  I’d suggest holding this bottle for a year or two before opening late 2016 or 2017.
Right bank.  50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc
At a Glance
Taste blackberry, plum, spice
Smell plum, spice, oak
Food cheese
Sweetness extra dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 426049
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Château de Lisennes Cuvée Tradition 2010

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Decant the bottle or pour a glass and let it breathe for 30 minutes. Meduim+ body with an extra dry finish. Refined tannins and oak. Quite good and very French!
Right bank.  Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
At a Glance
Taste red berry, french oak, raspberry
Smell bright cherry, pomegranate, french oak
Food hard cheese
Sweetness extra dry
Price $16.95
LCBO# 426171
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LeRoisier Reserve Merlot

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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
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Château Poitevin 2003

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The second saddest part about cellaring is that when you finally decide to reach for one and it’s great, you can’t get any more.  Unless you bought a case to begin with.
Release Date: Sometime in 2007
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste spicy fruit, blueberry, leather
Smell dark fruit, spice, leather
Food ribs
Sweetness extra dry
Price $12.95
LCBO# 0
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Camplazens Syrah 2006

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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

B&G Partager Rouge

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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

Domaine des Aspes Merlot 2005

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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
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Chantovent Shiraz 2001

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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