Slighty golden in color with a nice minerally nose with some mild citrus notes. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice tart acidity along with some nice stone and biscuit notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice sticky acidity, and even some slight smoky notes. There’s also a slight creamyness to the wine. Nice and dry! This is a very interesting wine, but you need to be careful, this is another wine that is VERY sensitive to temperature. We tried it right out of the fridge and it was noticeably milder. This wine is done using the Sur Lie process, meaning it spends time on the dead yeast that imparts the creamy, biscuit notes. The grape is Melon de Bourgogne, also called Melon blanc. This is from the Loire region of France. Greg introduced me to this grape, and I quite enjoy this one. I would give it an 88 or so, which for the price is a great deal. Yum. From the LCBO web site, check stock.
Melon de Bourgogne
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 637868$13.95
A nice value-priced wine that delivers solid varietal characteristics. Impressive pear, melon, apricot and peach tones, with lemon zest and a tantalizing hint of ginger over a refined mineral backbone. A great option for seafood dishes. (Vintages panel, March 2019)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:February 22, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:11.7%Made In:Loire, FranceBy:Earl B. De GoulaineSugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Aromatic & FlavourfulVarietal:Melon de Bourgogne
Pale straw in color with a citrus and minerally nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with some nice lemon/lime/minerally/stone notes. On the medium in length the lime and minerally notes are dominant and stick nicely to the tongue. This is a softer gentler Aligote but still lively and tart. We paired it with seafood alfredo and it held it’s own. The tart finish is appreciated best without food. I would give it a solid 88, which for the price is a great deal. I’m really coming to appreciate the Aligote grape and the unique flavors and brisk acidity it can bring to the table! The LCBO say Crisp and light? On what planet … From the LCBO web site, check stock.
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 12026$16.95
This greets you with lifted white flowers, citrus, and stone fruit. Fresh and bright in the mouth, it follows up the nose with suggestions of peach and melon. A nice price for this unassuming but far-from-simple wine. Pair with seafood or a charcuterie board. (Vintages panel, April 2019)Read More
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:March 7, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:12.8%Made In:Burgundy, FranceBy:Lamblin Et FilsSugar Content:2 g/LStyle:Light & Crisp
Pale straw in color with a minerally nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with lots of stone minerality, some mild lemon and some smoky notes. On the medium length finish the wine has some lovely mouth grip where the citrus notes and minerality live on in the mouth, particularly without food. This is a very interesting, food friendly wine that softens with food. I’d give it an -88. From the LCBO web site, Check stock:
Viura (Macabeo)
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 437707$15.95WS91
This bold white marries expressive flavors to a muscular texture. Pear and quince notes mingle with brioche, chamomile and dried pineapple details, with juicy acidity and light tannins lending support. Lively now, this should harmonize with time. Drink now through 2024. Ranked #62 in the Wine Spectator 2016 Top 100. Smart Buys. Score – 91. (Thomas Matthews, winespectator.com, Dec. 15, 2016)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:January 11, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13%Made In:Rioja, SpainBy:Ontanon S.A.Sugar Content:3 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Aromatic & FlavourfulVarietal:Viura (Macabeo)
Inky dark in color with a nice dark cherry and black plum nose. On the mid palate the wine displays lovely, elegant, vibrant black cherries, black plums to match the nose along with some nice mocha and dark chocolate. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth tannins and acidity. This is a bold elegant classic Cali cab, right up my alley. I would give it an 89, which for the price is a great deal. From the LCBO web site: Check Stock
Cabernet Sauvignon
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 38075$26.25
This is always a big, round, generous wine, and the 2015 is no exception to the rule. Juicy and ripe with sweet plums, blackberries, vanilla, spice and succulent tannins, this will be brilliant with your favourite cut of steak, grilled medium rare. (Vintages panel, June 2018)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:June 22, 2019Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:14.2%Made In:California, USABy:E. & J. Gallo WinerySugar Content:6 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Full-bodied & SmoothVarietal:Cabernet Sauvignon
Pale straw in color with an odd nose, kinda like cats pee. I’ve heard this referred to before, but this one actually has it. On the mid palate the wine displays some tart acidity and citrus notes. There’s a hint of sweetness that’s above what you’d expect from 4g/l. This isn’t an awful Sauv Blanc but not a great one either. I’d give it an 87-88 which for the price … meh I’ve had better. From the LCBO check stock:
Sauvignon Blanc
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 144386$19.95WO93
Intensely aromatic and inviting, the bouquet shows passionfruit, kiwifruit, kaffir lime and lemon peel characters. The palate is lively and mouth-watering with excellent fruit power and vibrancy, beautifully supported by crisp acidity. Crowd-pleasingly tasty. At its best: now to 2020. Score – 93. (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, Nov. 2018)Read Less
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:November 23, 2019Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:12.9%Made In:Marlborough, New ZealandBy:Soho WinesSugar Content:4 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Aromatic & FlavourfulVarietal:Sauvignon Blanc
Pale to slightly golden in color. On the nose has a noticeable dish towel nose. At first I thought it was the glass so I changed the glass, nope it’s the wine. And given this is a screw cap, it isn’t corked. On the mid palate the wine displays some tart green apple notes, and some nasty unpleasant astringent green notes. On the medium length finish the strong green apple tartness lives on. This is really not a pleasant wine. I’m hard pressed to decide if there was something wrong with the bottle or just not my tastes. I would give this an 86-87. If I had more, I would most definitely return them. from the LCBO web site. Check stock:
Verdejo
750 mL bottle | VINTAGES#: 10969$13.95
This fresh, balanced white will deliver delicate but precise citrus, green apple and stone fruit aromas and flavours, with just a hint of honey in the background. A refreshing, vibrant wine that will be a nice option for pairing with fresh seafood dishes.Read Less
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:January 25, 2020Bottle Size:750 mL bottleAlcohol/Vol:13.4%Made In:Rueda, SpainBy:CastellanaSugar Content:2 g/LSweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra DryStyle:Aromatic & FlavourfulVarietal:Verdejo
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
