Canadian Wine Guy

Dark in color with a mild cherry nose. This wine is of two profiles, with and without food. Without food the wine displays some nice vibrant cherries to match the nose along with some nice mocha notes, and a hint of oak. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice dryness, smooth tannins and nice acidity. With food it’s a lot softer so this is a food friendly wine but it needs to be something on the milder side. I paired it with lasagna and honestly it overwhelmed it. Salmon would seem like the perfect pairing. I would give it an 88 or so. A perfect sipping wine.

From the LCBO web site:
Clayhouse Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 — VINTAGES#: 57869
STYLE – Full-bodied & Smooth $18.95
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:February 2, 2019
Alcohol/Vol 14.5% Made in: California, USA By: Vintage Wine Estates Sugar Content: 4 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry Style: Full-bodied & Smooth Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Description: Clayhouse, who specialize in small-lot winemaking, source all of their grapes from the Red Cedar Vineyard. The winery is 90% solar powered and Clayhouse is certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. This Cabernet will have the lush, smooth character of Paso Robles and will be approachable and rich. Expect impressively communicated dark berry fruit with oak, chocolate and coffee underpinnings. Perfectly suited for mildly spiced beef ribs or meaty lasagna.

I was wandering through my local LCBO and they were sampling this wine, I tried it and liked it enough to buy a bottle. I have to turn my reaction off to the silly name to even consider this wine, but I’ve been impressed by their chard … On sale right now for $2 off. Dark in color with an expressive cherry nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with fruit forward cherry notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth tannins and acidity. It’s not as sweet as you might expect from 8g/l. The LCBO call it full bodied and smooth … too my tastes it’s a lot more fruit forward than this would imply. I would give it an -88. This is a general list product.

From the LCBO web site Check stock:
Ménage à Trois Decadence Cabernet Sauvignon LCBO#: 643882
$16.95 WAS $18.95 SAVE $2.00 Limited Time Offer Until April 28, 2019

Indulge in this latest offering from Ménage à Trois. Decadence Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby and has lovely aromas and flavours of stewed plum, chocolate, cinnamon and leather. Notes of cherry and mocha lead to a medium-bodied and fruity palate, finishing silky-smooth. Pair with chocolate covered strawberries.

FOOD PAIRINGS
Lamb & Feta Cigars Lamb & Feta Cigars Gyros Burgers with Oven-Roasted Lemon Potatoes Gyros Burgers with Oven-Roasted Lemon Potatoes Lamb Tagine with Apples Lamb Tagine with Apples
PRODUCT DETAILS
Bottle Size: 750 mL bottle
Alcohol/Vol: 13.5%
Made In: California, USA
By: Trinchero Family Estates
Sugar Content: 8 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor:D – Dry
Style:Full-bodied & Smooth
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

I was wandering through the LCBO and needed a cold bottle of chard to go with the cod I had planned for the meal and this one was there. Based on the description I grabbed it. Pale to slightly golden in color with a mild apple/pear nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice apple and pear to match the nose along with some vanilla. It’s slightly creamy in texture. On the medium length finish the wine is nice and dry. This to my tastes is a lighter oaked chard showing more fruit than oaking in profile. I would give it an 88 or so. The milder flavors were perfect for the cod. Quite nice.

from the LCBO web site Check stock:
Josh Cellars Chardonnay LCBO#: 561100 $17.95

Crafted with fruit sourced from California, including Mendocino and Monterey counties. This chardonnay boasts aromas and flavours of vanilla, apple and spice with subtle citrus and oak notes. The mouthfeel is rich and rounded with a long finish. Serve with grilled halibut alongside mashed potatoes and vegetables.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Bottle Size: 750 mL bottle
Alcohol/Vol: 13.5%
Made In: California, USA
By: Wj Deutsch & Sons Ltd
Sugar Content: 5 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra Dry
Style:Full-bodied & Rich
Varietal: Chardonnay

We were doing a tasting of the Reserve Cab sauv and noticed it tasted more like a merlot than a cab so decided to give this one a whirl. It’s in the general list, and a LOT cheaper. Dark in color with a nice black plum nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with black plums, and maybe some black cherries. There’s an underlying hint of mint/eucalyptus I’m not a fan of but it is mild. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice acidity and tannins, it’s nice and dry/ All in all, mint aside, this is a nice Merlot. I would give it an -88.

From the LCBO web site Check Stock:
Josh Cellars Merlot LCBO#: 638221 $18.95

Joseph Carr Winery makes a tier of wines named after his affable father Josh. Josh Merlot, in turn, is inviting and full of character. With aromas and flavours of blueberry, vanilla, and mocha, a velvety texture, and fine tannins on the finish, this red will complement lamb, meat-based pasta or soft cheeses. Cheers Josh!

FOOD PAIRINGS
Steak Crostini with Grilled Scallion Relish Steak Crostini with Grilled Scallion Relish Beef Sirloin with Argentinean Criolla Sauce Beef Sirloin with Argentinean Criolla Sauce Pipérade-Braised Short Ribs Pipérade-Braised Short Ribs

PRODUCT DETAILS
Bottle Size: 750 mL bottle
Alcohol/Vol: 13.5%
Made In: California, USA
By: Wj Deutsch & Sons Ltd
Sugar Content: 6 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor:D – Dry
Style:Full-bodied & Smooth
Varietal: Merlot

Ok I admit it … I like a good oaked chard. Not over baked … just so! A perfect companion for scallops, a real ratatouille moment. So we planned a decadent meal for the night. Scallops, brussel sprouts and a grainy rice mix, and this chard …. Pale in color with a nice inviting apple/pear nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with some lovely apple/pear fruits. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice slightly creamy texture along with some nice vanilla and butterscotch. It’s nice and dry, and just enough oaking to add some nice complexity to the wine. It went really well with the scallops. I would give this wine an 88 … For the price, it’s a good deal, and is one of my go to chards! I last reviewed the 2015 vintage of this wine and enjoyed it, I’m thrilled the new vintage is just as good. I’ve had a number that have come and gone as my go tos. Different wine makers, style changes etc …

From the LCBO web site Check LCBO stock:
Chloe Chardonnay LCBO#: 392597 $18.95

Medium lemon in colour; delicate aromas of apple and melon; the palate is dry and full body with flavours of apple, pear, toast, spice and vanilla with a toasty creamy texture.
FOOD PAIRINGS
Mediterranean Roasted Potato Salad Mediterranean Roasted Potato Salad Plum-Chicken Sumac Skewers with Herbed-Pine-Nut Couscous Plum-Chicken Sumac Skewers with Herbed-Pine-Nut Couscous Slow-Braised Veal with Oranges Slow-Braised Veal with Oranges

PRODUCT DETAILS
Bottle Size: 750 mL bottle
Alcohol/Vol: 14%
Made In: California, USA
By: Chloe Wines
Sugar Content: 4 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra Dry
Style:Full-bodied & Rich
Varietal: Chardonnay

We stopped by Joey’s Eatons center for their half price bottles special on Thursdays and tried this one. The wine is regularly $65 so for $32.50 not a bad deal. Lovely garnet color with a vibrant, inviting strawberry nose ummmmm. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice strawberries and red fruits to match the nose. There’s some nice rustic and earthy notes along for the ride. On the medium length finish the wine displays lovely smooth tannins and nice acidity. A very nice, typical pinot which displays Oregon’s earth terroir! I would give it an 88+. It’s not in the LCBO, but if you like it enough you can get it for $24.95 a bottle, by the case of 12, from Rogers and Company. Not a bad markup at all.