Golden in color with a nice apple and pear nose. On the mid palate the wine is a lovely rich chard with nice apple/pears coming through to match the nose along with some vanilla, limestone and some smokey notes, nice and dry! This is a vibrant rich well made chard. Not over oaked at all, right up my alley. We paired it with my usual ratatouille pairing, pan seared scallops and it went perfectly. Ahhhh Yummmmmm. I would give it an 88-89, which for the price is amazing. Niagara can make some awesome oaked chards and this is one of them! From the LCBO web site Check Stock:
Chardonnay
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 268342$21.95
Henry of Pelham is one of Ontario’s most trusted and beloved of producers. This Chardonnay is always an elegant wine crafted to emphasize focus and precision. It features bold, ripe fruit with vanilla, smoke, buttered toast and a creamy, long mouthfeel. A refined example of Ontario’s prowess with Chardonnay. Try this with grilled pork ribs or grilled lobster.Read Less
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:April 3, 2019Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13.5%Made In:Ontario, CanadaBy:Henry Of Pelham Family Est. WinerySugar Content:5 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Full-bodied & RichVarietal:ChardonnayThis is a VQA wine
Dark in color with a nice mild black berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice dark plums, black cherries and mocha. Lovely rich elegant fruit. On the finish the wine is medium to long in length with some nice rich tannins, chocolate notes, that build nicely in the mouth, nice and dry. This is a lovely smooth elegant wine from the right bank of bordeaux. On the back of the bottle the blend says 80% merlot 15% cab franc and 5% cab sauv. I would give it an 88 or so, which for the money is a bargain … Yumm. From the LCBO web site Check stock: Thanks for the suggestion Semion!
Bordeaux
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 387522$19.95DEC89
Plummy and ripe with toffee-fruited richness and a liquorice touch. Generous, classic and satisfying. Tannins are a bit furry, but acidity gives decent length. Drinking window: 2019-2025. Score – 89. (decanter.com, Jan. 16, 2018)
Pale straw in color with a mineral/citrus nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some crisp minerality, and citrus notes to match the nose. Some nice lemon/lime. On the medium length finish the wine displays some vibrant acidity that sticks nicely in the mouth, especially without food, with the citrus notes hanging around, nice and dry. Theres a nice hint of white pepper on the tongue as well. I’m not sure I would go as far as pink edgy grapefruit but in the real. This wine is 75% Viura and 25% other. It’s a nice fresh, crisp, perfect summer sipper. We paired it with spicy chicken wings and it cut through the spice perfectly. I would give this an -88. From the LCBO web site:
Viura (Macabeo)
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 543785$14.95DEC89
Sourced from old vines bearing Viura grapes, this white Rioja delivers a delicious mouthful of intense, waxy and slightly spicy apple and pear fruits, outlined by an energetic grapefruit tang. It has enough weight to work well as a winter white, and will pair nicely with roast pork. Drinking window: 2019-2024. Score – 89. (James Button, decanter.com, Oct. 21, 2019)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:March 7, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:12.5%Made In:Rioja, SpainBy:VintaeSugar Content:3 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Aromatic & FlavourfulVarietal:Viura (Macabeo)
Dark in color with a nice inviting dark plum nose. On the mid palate the wine displays lovely rich bold dark plums that match the nose along with big oaking notes from chocolate, to vanilla to earthy notes. This is NOT a gently oaked wine. It’s BIG. On the medium length finish the wine displays some smooth tannins and acidity. The wine is a bit young but there are no astringent or green notes, nice and dry too! A perfect expression a a big merlot! Quite impressive. I would give it an 88 or so … I’m quite impressed by the wines coming out of this region! From the LCBO web site: Check stock. Yummm
Merlot
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 13818$24.95
Founded in 2006, the 100-acre Mastronardi vineyard supports over 18 varietals, with Bordeaux reds as a regional specialty. This Merlot is ripe and smoky with black plummy fruit and a touch of spice rounding out the palate. Great for pairing with turkey or meaty stews. (Vintages panel, April 2019)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:March 7, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13.6%Made In:Ontario, CanadaBy:Mastronardi Esatate WinerySugar Content:2 g/LStyle:Medium-bodied & FruityVarietal:MerlotThis is a VQA wine
This delectable medium-bodied Merlot promotes aromas of sweet vanilla and a touch of leather on the nose followed by bold flavours of plum, black cherry and pomegranate with a subtle hint of spice on the palate. With a medium-long finish this Merlot pairs perfectly with softer poultry and meats on the sweet and savoury side.
Dark garnet in color with a dark berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays black berries as being mostly dominant, quite fruit forward. On the lighter side of medium in length the wine displays some soft dusty tannins and food friendly light acidity. There are some noticable rustic and earthy notes, along with some nice dryness, that build in the mouth. This isn’t a horrible pinot noir, but is by no means a varietal or outstanding one either. I would give it an 87-88. I bought two since I like pinot’s, meh I’ll be taking the second one back, I’ve had better … From the LCBO web site: Check Stock
Pinot Noir
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 12176$20.95
Impressive ripe fruit, with a savoury herbal tone that adds considerable depth and complexity. A pure mineral note emerges on the finish. This is fresh, vibrant and made for food. Pair it with roast lamb. (Vintages panel, April 2019)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:March 7, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13.3%Made In:Burgundy, FranceBy:Maison Des Vignes Aine & FilsSugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Medium-bodied & FruityVarietal:Pinot Noir
Nice grassy, mild cirtus and light grapefruit nose. On the mid palate the wine displays smooth elegant citrus and grapefruit to match the nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice citrus notes and some nice vibrant acidity. This is more of a smoother sauv blanc but spot on varietal. Not as edgy as say a New Zealand Sauv blanc but quite good. I would give it an -88. When at the winery they were telling me they have been slowly loosing the Sauv blanc to our cold winters. A crying shame given how good this wine is. Not in the LCBO but available from the winery for $22 which is a good price for this wine!
Fragrant aromatics of grapefruit and guava with grassy undertones. Stone-like minerality with flavours of gooseberries, lime and kiwi balanced by crisp and mouthwatering acidity. **Silver Medal – All Canadian Wine Competition
Pairings:
Shellfish and whitefish, goat cheese or pasta with garlic cream.
Pale to golden in color with a nice minerally/citrus nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose spot on with beautiful vibrant minerality along with some nice citrus and green apple notes. There’s some noticeable limestone/metallic/flint notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice vibrant food friendly acidity … nice and dry. It sticks to the tongue nicely with some nice mouth grip. We paired it with some roast pork and it cut through the fat and flavors beautifully complimenting it nicely. I would give it an 88 … Quite nice as long as you like minerally/acidity … From the LCBO web site: Check stock Thanks Greg for the suggestion!
50 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 11140$14.95LM97
Expect a bright, floral wine with lemon citrus aromas and flavours. The excellent freshness will make this a great option for seafood salads or crab. [Luca Maroni tasting note not available.] Score – 97. (Luca Maroni, lucamaroni.com, March 16, 2018)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:February 22, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:12.6%Made In:Marche, ItalyBy:Casal FarnetoSugar Content:4 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Light & CrispVarietal:Verdicchio
Dark in color with a nice dark plum and dark cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays lovely dark plums, and dark cherries to match the nose along with some nice chocolate and mocha notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice firm tannins and some hints of black tea, not bitter but close. We paired it with beef ribs and it held it’s own, almost overpowering the ribs. This is a great buy for the price. I would give it an 88 or so … Yumm … This is a wine from the Entre Deux Mers of Bordeaux where you can get some good bargain Bordeauxs from, more specifically Pompignac which is right in the center of the region. According to the back of the bottle this is 80% merlot and 10% Cab franc and 10% cab sauv. I’ll be going back to grab some more of this wine, it should easily keep 2-5 years!
Bordeaux
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 448829$19.95JS91
A rich and beautiful Bordeaux with lots of blackcurrants, blueberries and vanilla character. Full body, round and soft tannins and a flavorful finish. Fruit-forward style. Delicious now but better in 2017. Serious wine from this appellation. About 80% merlot and the rest cabernets. Score – 91. (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Oct. 21, 2016)Read Less
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:February 8, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:14%Made In:Bordeaux, FranceBy:Hubert de Boüard & Bernard PujolSugar Content:3 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Full-bodied & SmoothVarietal:Bordeaux
This wine is bipolar … Fresh out of the fridge the wine is bland, light, watery and I was ready to write a review saying it was a mere shadow of it’s Burgundy equivalent and then it dawned on me … maybe I served it too cold. So I went back and bought a second bottle and this time kept it in the wine fridge which is set to 50F. Oh my what a difference. I’ve found this before with other wines but the pronounced difference was shocking. Out of the wine fridge the wine displays some minerally, slightly herbal notes on the nose. On the mid palate this wine displays some firm crisp green apple and asian pear notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some vibrant acidity, zesty notes and some citrus. It’s not tart but pretty close. We paired this with some slightly spicy Andouille sausage and it had no issues with holding it’s own. This is a lively vibrant wine so be careful what you pair it with and be VERY careful with temperature. I have to say, I was impressed, yummy, and for the price!!!! From the LCBO web site: Check stock (this is a general list product)
Aligoté
750 mL bottle | LCBO#: 296848$15.95
Pale lemon colour; fresh and defined aromas of crisp apple, pear and mineral; extra-dry medium body; crisp and refreshing flavours of green apple, pear, wet stone with zippy acidity and a slight hint of honey on the finish.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13%Made In:Ontario, CanadaBy:Chateau Des CharmesSugar Content:5 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Light & CrispVarietal:AligotéThis is a VQA wine
I’ve recently been learning a little more about Champagne and this one was submitted to me as a reasonably priced, relatively available Champagne. My go to for presents is usually a Pol Roger which is $69.25, this one is $43.65. Pale/straw in color with some nice rich toasty notes coming through. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with nice toasty notes being dominant along with some apple/pear. It displays some creamy notes but milder. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice crisp dryness, minerality and citrus. For the price, this is not a bad champagne. I would give it an -88. Check stock
750 mL bottle | LCBO#: 325167$43.65
Pale straw colour; apple and pear aromas with toasty notes and a hint of cinnamon; full-flavoured with crisp citrus, apple and toasty flavours.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:12%Made In:Champagne, FranceBy:Champagne TarlantSugar Content:5 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Rich & ComplexVarietal:Champagne
Dark in color with a dark berry nose. On the mid palate the wine has some dark berries and black currant, quite jammy and fruity. On the lighter side of medium in length the wine displays some soft tannins and acidity. To me this was WAY too fruit forward for my tastes. I would give it an 87-88. If I had more, I’d return it. I’ve had way better Aglianicos … From the LCBO web site Check Stock:
Aglianico
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 262956$24.95JS94
Now here’s a really exciting Aglianico. Full of life, it’s overflowing with sea urchin, oyster shell, hot stones, blackberries and steak tartare. As for the palate, it’s full in body, but very silky and sleek, tiptoeing with the grace of a ballerina through vibrant but concentrated dark fruit. Long and complex. Amazing value! Drink from 2023. Score – 94. (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Nov. 7, 2019)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:February 8, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13%Made In:Campania, ItalyBy:Az. Ag. DonnachiaraSugar Content:4 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Medium-bodied & FruityVarietal:Aglianico
Pale straw in color with a mild mineral and green apple nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some sharp crisp green apple notes along with some nice stone notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays crisp, sharp, vibrant acidity. Acidity is the king in this wine, so pairing it must be done carefully. We paired it with alfredo and the vibrant acidity cut through the creaminess perfectly. I would give the wine an -88 which for the price is a bargain. I would pair this wine anywhere you might put a vibrant sauv blanc. This wine is from Beaune in the Burgundy region of France.
Aligoté – the other white grape of Burgundy besides Chardonnay – is prized for its food-friendly acidity. This one also brings notions of fresh flowers, peach, pineapple and honey to the party and has a lovely mineral underpinning. It’ll especially shine with seafood. (Vintages panel, April 2019)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:February 8, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:12.2%Made In:Burgundy, FranceBy:Francois MartenotSugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Light & Crisp
We were up on a hunt for Snowy owls and visiting the Northern Hawk Owl and stopped by Holland Marsh Winery to hear what’s going on up here … This wine is an interesting color, kind of a faded, browning strawberry … On the nose the wine displays some soft strawberry notes. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice strawberry, cranberry and candied notes. There’s some sweetness at 10g/l but it’s balanced by some vibrant acidity. On the medium length finish the acidity coats the mouth beautifully masking the sugar. I would give this an -88, a very unique rose made from Gamay noir. At $18 a bottle it’s a bargain. Not in the LCBO so you will have to check out the winery for yourself! You will be rewarded. Be sure and check out there cab sauv, shockingly good! One of the things I’ve learned travelling to wineries in Prince Edward County is to ask, is it your fruit? Well I was surprised to learn all but the chard are grown by them! The chard is from Niagara.
Winemaker’s Notes:
Aromas of ripe peaches, cherries and rose petals. This structured rosé has vibrant strawberry and cranberry flavours, with a clean and slightly creamy finish.
Pairing:
Grilled seafood, pasta with rosé sauce or as a patio sipper.
More Details
Sugar
10 (g/L)
Alcohol
10.5%
Volume
750ML
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For purchases that total $180.00 or more (Ontario Only)
Quite pale, almost garnet in color with a mild light red fruits nose, raspberry and the like. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with soft red fruits dominating, some cherries and the like. On the light side of medium in length it displays some soft tannins and acidity. I was shocked to learn this was a cab franc, and it is probably one of the softest cab francs I’ve had. Honestly, blind it’s not easy to tell this is a cab franc. If you buy this wine be sure and pair it with something light , pork, or salmon or you don’t have a hope of tasting the wine. I’m hard pressed to give this wine more and an 87-88. It’s not a bad wine by any means, just very mild, if I had more I’d probably return them. Cab franc for the non cab franc lovers 🙂 This is a wine from the Loire region of France. From the LCBO web site: Check stock:
Cabernet Franc
750 mL bottle | LCBO#: 482793$22.75
Made from organic Cabernet Franc grapes hand-harvested from vines with an average age of 35 years. A fruit-forward wine showing vibrant red fruit aromas and flavours. A perfect match for a range of uncomplicated dishes.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13%Made In:Loire, FranceBy:Chateau De ChaintresVarietal:Cabernet Franc
On the lighter side of dark in color with a mild cherry nose along with some mocha and leather notes. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice dark cherry and mocha to go along with the nose. On the medium length finish the wine displays some fine dusty tannins along with some mocha notes that linger. This is a lovely approachable Right Bank Puisseguni Saint-Emilion region of Bordeaux. I would give this an 89 or so. A lovely wine with some nice complexity and dryness. From the LCBO web site. Check stock
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 463273$39.95
A great opportunity to try maturing Bordeaux, and one crafted from organically grown grapes. Expect this to be a generous wine with a rich, silky character. It will add an air of refinement to a meal featuring lamb or braised beef.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:February 8, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13%Made In:Bordeaux, FranceBy:G. Dupuy, prop.Sugar Content:3 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Medium-bodied & Fruity
Pale to straw in color with a mild citrus note. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with some nice mild citrus, lemon, passion fruit and the like. On the lighter side of medium in length the wine displays some softer food friendly acidity where the citrus notes linger slightly. We had New Zealand Villa Maria open at the same time and it was interesting to do a back to back tasting of the two. This wine is definitely a softer, gentler, more elegant sauv blanc so it will depend on what your taste preferences are. After all, you may only be able to take one of these when your shipwrecked on a deserted island, so one much choose wisely. I would give it a -88. This is a wine from the Entre Deux Mers of Bordeaux and is 100% sauv blanc, no semillion and is unoaked. From the LCBO web site: Check stock
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 12098$14.95
Fresh and crisp with lemon, grapefruit, white flowers, a light herbaceous note, and a mineral lift on the finish. This delicious, pretty wine is a fine value. Pair with mussels or herb-roasted pork tenderloin. (Vintages panel, April 2019)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:January 25, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:11.5%Made In:Bordeaux, FranceBy:Maison SichelSugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Aromatic & Flavourful
A good, modern Bordeaux white made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes sourced from partner growers. Les Hauts de Bel Air White is a modern wine: intensely aromatic, fresh and easy to drink. Bottled early – only 5 months after the harvest – and aged in vat rather than barrel, the wine is very aromatic on the nose and refreshing on the palate. Enjoyment and satisfaction guaranteed.
BACKGROUND Maison Sichel has always held the view that, as a wine producer based in Bordeaux, the level of quality of our AOC Bordeaux wines should be irreproachable and consistently high. To this end, forty years ago, we became the first négociant in the region to invest in a vinification cellar. In creating Cave Bel-Air, we broke out of the mould of the traditional Bordeaux merchant or négociant to become, in New World parlance, a winery, responsible for the quality of its wines at every stage, from grape to bottle. Cave Bel-Air vinifies grapes from some 200 hectares of vines, making red, white and rosé AOC Bordeaux wines. It works in partnership with a limited number of growers, who all adhere to a Charter of Quality that covers all aspects of viticulture, such as how the vines are trained, how often they are treated against pests and disease and which products are used, control of yield levels and, finally, when and how the grapes are harvested.
SURFACE 19 Ha in white AVERAGE AGE OF VINES 30 years GRAPE
VARIETIES Sémillon, Sauvignon TERROIR Clay-limestone soils on the slopes of the Right Bank of the Garonne river and Boulbène in the Entre-DeuxMers region.
WINEMAKING/MATURING A great deal of care was shown to the vines and each bunch of grapes to ensure grapes of good quality: control of yields and of vigour (short pruning, the planting of grass, a synthesis of amendments), checks on maturity and reasonable protection. If the quality of the grapes is good enough they are harvested by machine, otherwise a team of experienced grape pickers pass in front of the machine in order to remove grapes of a lesser quality. Thanks to this selective sorting of grapes, we carry out 100% of the skin maceration before fermentation during 8 to 12 hours of cold under carbon dioxide gas. The grapes are then pressed using a pneumatic press. The juice is maintained at a low temperature (12°C) and protected from oxygen by the use of carbon dioxide. After the juice has settled for 24 hours, the wine is drawn off and put in stainless steel tanks with automatic thermo-regulators. The must is mixed with dried active yeast, specially selected for Sauvignon must. The fermentation temperatures are kept between 13 and 15°C in order to best preserve the aromas of Sauvignon. After fermentation the wine is racked once in order to remove the heavy lees and then it is matured for 3 to 4 months on the fine lees, whilst being stirred once a week. Before it is bottled the wine is fined and treated in the cold in order to avoid precipitation in the bottle.
Pale to golden in color with a mild nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice pear, and golden apple notes, along with a hint of pepper/zest spicy notes. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice zesty citrus notes along with some lively acidity. There’s some slightly creamy notes to the texture. In some ways the wine reminds me of an unoaked chard … I would give it an -88 or so. Quite an interesting unique flavor. From the LCBO web site check stock:
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 10950$15.95LM97
(Translated from the Italian) Absolutely the best among the white wines tasted this year: the Falanghina Beneventana 2017. A show of pear, grape and plum, thick pulp, clear fragrance, and wonderful gustative smoothness. Bravo! Score – 97. (Luca Maroni, lucamaroni.com, 2019)
I’ve been spending a bit of time trying to sort out the complex region of France collectively known as Bordeaux. This is a lot harder than one would think. Those of you in the know will likely skip this post, but hopefully, some will find it helpful, if I get some things not quite perfect, please bear with me. Understanding the regions, the grapes and the labels will help you to spend your money wisely. Bordeaux’s can be VERY expensive but there are bargains to be had, with knowledge! I’ve collected/gleaned a lot of this from Vins Du Bordeaux web site:
Bordeaux is divided into three areas Left Bank, Right Bank and Entre deux mers. This graphic which I shamelessly pilfered shows the areas:
Wine regions of Bordeaux
From a satellite view it looks like this:
Satellite view of Bordeaux
It’s worth stating the obvious, wines from Bordeaux are pretty much always blends of grapes, ie NOT single varietals.
From Vinepair referring to the reds of Bordeaux: “Left Bank wines are mostly Cabernet Sauvignon fleshed out with Merlot; Right Bank wines are more Merlot balanced by a smaller proportion of Cabernet. The Cabernet-driven Left Bank wines tend to be higher in tannin — again, making them good candidates for aging, which helps to mellow out the tannins and integrate the flavors of the wine. Merlot-driven Right Bank wines are generally smoother, with softer fruit flavors and balancing.”
Merlot in Bordeaux is not the fruit forward, softer wine some have come to loath, but rather, are bigger bolder than that. Not as big as the Cabs from Bordeaux.
So now let’s have a look at these three regions. First off Left Bank which is made up of Medoc and Graves which themselves have separate regions:
Left Bank: Medoc: Médoc, Saint-Estéphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis, Margaux, and Haut-Médoc Graves: Pessac-Léognan, Graves , Graves Supérieures, Cérons, Barsac, and Sauternes
Right bank is made up of Blaye and Libournais:
Right Bank: Blaye: Blaye, Cötes de Blaye, Blaye – Cotes de Bordeaux, Cötes de Bordeaux, and Cötes de Bourg Libournais: Fronsac, Canon Fronsac, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Pomerol, Lussac Saint-Émilion, Montagne Saint-Émilion, Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion, Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, Saint-Émilion, Saint-Émilion grand cru, Francs Cötes de Bordeaux, Cötes de Bordeaux, Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, and Cötes de Bordeaux
Last but not least is Entres Deux mers, which is the region in between the two rivers. Very reasonably priced good quality wines can be had in this region.
Regions of Entres Deux mers: Graves de Vayres, Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux Haut-Benauge, Entre-Deux-Mers Haut-Benauge, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, Cadillac Cötes de Bordeaux, Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac, Cotes de Bordeaux- Saint-Macaire, Loupiac, and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont
Ok let’s have a look at some sample labels and see what we can glean from them. Spolier alert, it really varies …
This wine is from Left Bank, Graves, Pessac Leognan region. Sadly no mention of the grapes and we can see it’s handled by TasteVin Selections here in Ontario. So this ought to be more Cab Sauv but who knows.
This wine is from the Right bank, Liberais, Puisseguin Saint-Émilion region. In this case they generously (and unusually) gave us the break down of the grapes. As expected on the right bank this is Merlot dominant. Interestingly there’s more cab franc than sauv! And it is represented in Ontario by United Stars. We even get some tasting notes … sweet!
Vins de bordeaux is a little more tricky and more generic. Searching on the winery I would guess this to be an Entre deux mers wine, but honestly the grapes could come from almost anywhere in Bordeaux. Local rep is VinoLuna and we have the grape varietals, and a tasting note! The back of the bottle actually has more information on it than the LCBO web site?
This one is from the Right bank, Libournais, Lussac Saint-Émilion region. This time they allude to it, but the LCBO site is even clearer, this is 100% Merlot. Again the local rep is United stars.
Reviews of these wines will be coming in future posts, so stay tuned!
As an interesting but useless (to you) fact of trivia I went back and categorized the wines I’ve reviewed in the last two years here on CanadianWineGuy and tallied them up, I’ve reviewed and enjoyed 7 Right banks, 3 Entres deux Mers, and 2 Left banks!
Hope you’ve found this little post informative/useful in some way …
Dark in color with a mild dark berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely dark plums along with some chocolate and mocha notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice pepper, and vibrant acidity. There’s some lovely soft tannins and nice dryness and complexity … Out of the bottle there were some wet, earthy notes that faded quickly. The alcohol at 14% is quite noticeable. This is another lovely, delicious year for this wine, and if you have patience I am certain it will improve in as little as a year and keep for at least 5. Crew are doing an awesome job bringing the quality level for lake Erie area forward. I would give it a solid 88 or so, which is a steal for the price. If your expecting a soft fruit forward merlot, nope not this one. This is a serious edgy merlot. Yumm. From the LCBO web site: Check stock
Merlot
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 310532$17.95
This Merlot from CREW is always a complex, fruity wine, with dark and red fruit alongside touches of spice and earth. Characteristically smooth and rich, it’s a great option for a red-wine beef stew.Read Less
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:February 8, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13.7%Made In:Ontario, CanadaBy:Colchester Ridge Estate Winery Inc.Sugar Content:4 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Full-bodied & SmoothVarietal:MerlotThis is a VQA wine
Dark in color with a nice dark cherry and chocolate nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely rich dark cherry notes, mocha, along with some firm pepper. On the medium length finish the wine displays some firm tannins, nice firm pepper and acidity. This is a lovely varietal big cab franc. I would give this a 88 or so, which for the price is a good deal! This wine is from the Loire region of France. From the LCBO web site Check stock:
Cabernet Franc
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 478263$17.95WC91
Sourced from 10 to 35-year-old vines; this 100% cabernet franc has a lovely bright, medium-ruby colour. The nose is shy at first, but when given a chance to open, it shows aromas of dark cherry, strawberry, jalapeño and dusty rock. It flows on the palate with the freshness of juicy red berry flavours with spicy pepper kicking in on the mid palate along with assertive fine-grained tannin and recurrent minerality in the long, delicious, sharp and dry finish. It’s medium bodied with character and excellent structure and is a hit with grilled-rare ribeye steak. Aerate/decant an hour or two. Value. Score – 91. (Louise Boutin, winecurrent.com, April 17, 2019).
Ok, I should probably start out with I don’t buy or drink a lot of Barolos, they simply are out of the price range I’m willing to pay. This one is ruby in color with a nice dark cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice dark cherry notes, but not bright young cherries, more light wilted cherries … But this wine lives mostly in the finish where it displays elegant dusty tannins that build in the mouth and coat the palate. On the medium to long finish the wine displays some nice acidity and the tannins live on long in the mouth. This really is a super tasty wine. Nothing else is quite like a Barolo. Yumm, it is $68.75, sadly, not in the LCBO, available from Burgundy Direct by the case. I would give it a solid 89+. From Burgundy direct’s web site:
Note: Made of organically farmed fruit from commune of Barolo; Coste di Rose, Preda and Monrobiolo vineyards. Destemmed, softly crushed, indigenous yeasts, 30 day maceration-fermentation with frequent pump-overs. “Barale’s 2015 Barolo Vendemmia is perfumed, open-knit and inviting. Floral overtones and silky, red berry fruit give this mid-weight Barolo much of its sensuality and overall appeal. Spice, crushed berry and wild flowers develop later adding further shades of nuance. This is such a pretty Barolo from an estate that continues to make important strides.” 91 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous. November, 2019.
Ripasso is a style of wine from Italy pioneered by Masi that repasses, or passes over the skins of a another wine that in turn imparts flavor and complexity. This particular wine has recaptured this spirit here in Niagara. Dark in color with a mild dark berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice dried fruits and rich dark berry notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays lovely bold tannins, mocha and the dried fruit notes linger in the mouth, particularly without food. This is a food friendly wine and is spot on to what one would expect from a Ripasso. A good rich, complex wine, for a reasonable price! I would give it a -88. Available at the winery for $20 a bottle.
This medium bodied Ripasso style red wine was made using the Italian tradition of aging wine on the pressed grape skins from Appassimento wines. The fermented Merlot was added to barrels containing the lees and skins leftover from the pressed off partially dried grapes used in our Appassimento wines. This process adds colour, texture, and enhanced flavour in this blend. The result is a wine that displays jammy dark berry fruit aromas and flavours supported by notes of vanilla and spice.
Serve at room temperature (16 to 18 C). Enjoy with grilled red meat, or charcuterie and hard cheeses.
Garnet in color with a nice strawberry/raspberry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays strawberry/raspberry to match the nose along with some nice rustic notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice tannins and peppery notes. This is a spot on, lovely, varietal pinot noir. I would give it an 88 … Very nice. Available at the winery for $24.95 a bottle.
About This Wine:This wine is named after a layer of dolomitic limestone forming the crest of the Niagara Escarpment. Through the forces of erosion, this ancient rock has come to enrich the soils of the Escarpment benchlands below. Grown in selected vineyards along these gentle slopes, this Pinot Noir bears the mark of its origins. The calcareous clays of these sites contribute to the delicate aromatics and silky texture that are this wine’s hallmark. Origin:92% Beamsville Bench, 8% Creek Shores Soil:Beamsville Bench Stony clay till composed of limestone mixed with sandstone and shale Creek Shores Lacustrine clay-loam till composed of red shale and sandstone mixed with limestone Composition:100% Pinot Noir Harvest Data:Harvest Date- Sept. 21 – Oct. 3 Sugar- 20.7 ºBrix Titratable Acidity- 9.9 g/L pH- 3.36 Yield- 3.2 mt/ac (59 hl/ha) Vinification:7-day maceration followed by 7-day fermentation using selected yeast strains; barrel ageing for 10 months in older French oak barriques and puncheons, the majority being 2nd through 4th fill Bottling Data:Bottling Date- October 2018 Alc./Vol. 12.5% Residual Sugar- 3 g/L Titratable Acidity- 5.8g/L pH- 3.65 Production- 580 cs. (9L) Tasting Notes:The nose is highly perfumed with lifted red berry and raspberry fruit alongside nuances of tilled earth and cedar. The palate is medium bodied with a sweet, supple feel up front, followed in the middle by an elegant harmony of dark cherry fruit and nicely rounded textures. Firm, well-integrated tannins build here, carrying saturated blackberry fruit and persistent notes of black top and smoke on the finish. Taste Profile:Dry (D) Serving Suggestions:Coq au vin, roasted pork loin, braised pork belly with choucroute, braised rabbit, seared duck breast, ossobuco, mushroom risotto Ageability:Best consumed 2019 through 2022; will hold through at least 2024 Ontario Retail Price:$24.95 Availability:Winery Only
Strawberry in color with a mild nose. On the mid palate there’s some interesting edgy strawberry and cranberry notes along with some firm acidity. There’s some nice red wine notes. It’s quite a nice, complex rose, different from others. It can hold it’s own reasonable well. I’d give it an -88 which for the price is not a bad deal at all!
Pale red-pink. Sweet aromas and flavors of herbs, bubble gum, red cherry and red apple. Also enters slightly sweet, but finishes rather bitter with hints of dried cranberry and flowers. Drink date: 2019-2020. Score – 88. (Ian D’Agata, vinous.com, May 2019)Read Less
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:September 28, 2019Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:12.5%Made In:Marche, ItalyBy:Az. Vitivinicola Velenosi ErcoleSugar Content:7 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Easygoing & FruityVarietal:Rosé
PRODUCTION AREA: Company owned vineyards located in Castel di Lama
VARIETY: Montepulciano 100%
ALTITUDE: 200-300 m a.s.l.
SOIL: Loam soil , tending towards clay.
TRAINING SYSTEM: Guyot
DENSITY: 5,000 plants per hectare
YIELD PER HECTARE: about 80 quintals
HARVEST: Specifically selected grapes for rosé vinification are picked during the first 10 days of September.
VINIFICATION: Once in the cellar, the grapes are destemmed and conveyed to the press. In order not to lose the main scents, the entire environment is covered with dry ice. At this point a brief cold maceration is carried out for about 6 hours so as to extract the peak of the scents. The fermentation is at a temperature of about 14°/15° C. Upon completion of the fermentation, the wine is kept for some months on thin dregs to enhance its structure.
Dark in color with a vibrant dark cherry nose that comes up and tells you straight off … this is going to be good. On the mid palate the wine spot on matches the nose with dark cherries, some mocha and chocolate. Yummm … On the softer side of medium in length the wine displays some soft elegant tannins and acidity that are beyond the wine’s price. $25 a bottle by the case from Rogers and Company (not in the LCBO). This was one of my favorite wines of a recent Taste Australia event …
From the Winery’s web site: 62% Cabernet, 35% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
