Canadian Wine Guy

Inky dark in color with a nice black berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely rich dark berries/cherries to match the nose along with some nice oak notes along with some nice mocha. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth tannins and vibrant acidity. A lovely well made cab sauv. We paired it with a filet mignon and it went brilliantly. Yumm. I would give it an 89+.

From the LCBO web site:
St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 — VINTAGES#: 671164
STYLE – Full-bodied & Smooth
This is a deeply coloured, nicely rich yet quite well structured cabernet – as are so many 2013s from California. It has a classic, lifted nose of blackcurrants, herbs, dark chocolate and some oak sheen. It’s full bodied, fairly dense and still youthfully tannic but it is balanced. The length is very good to excellent. Good value in the overpriced universe of California cabs. Score – 91. (David Lawrason, winealign.com, July 20, 2016)
$29.95
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:December 10, 2016
Alcohol/Vol 14.6% Made in: California, USA By: Kobrand Corporation Sugar Content:13 g/L Sweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra Dry Style:Full-bodied & Smooth

This is another excellent red from Bogle. Dark in color with a mild red berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some rich dark cherry fruit. The cab sauv is really coming through. On the medium length finish the wine displays some lively acidity, mild tannins and noticeable alcohol. A little breathing or ageing would help this out easily. I would give it a solid 88. Yum

From the LCBO web site:
Bogle Essential Red 2014 — VINTAGES#: 394452
STYLE – Full-bodied & Smooth $21.95
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:January 21, 2017
Alcohol/Vol13.5% Made in: California, USA By: Bogle Winery Sugar Content:9 g/L Sweetness Descriptor:D – Dry Style:Full-bodied & Smooth
Description: The Bogle family blends old vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah to make this wine and ages it in oak for 12 months. Expect jammy fruit with notions of cedar and cocoa. The producer suggests pairings of burgers, blue cheeses or dark chocolate macarons.

Pale in color with a nice varietal nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely rich varietal fruit, nice apple/pear and vanilla. On the medium length finish the vanilla lives on nicely in the mouth. This is a well oaked chard. Right up my alley. I would give it an 89 or so. Yumm Full bodied and rich is what the LCBO calls it and I would agree!

From the LCBO for a different year:
Calera Chardonnay 2013 — VINTAGES#: 968925
STYLE – Full-bodied & Rich $44.25
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:March 21, 2015
Alcohol/Vol 14.0% Made in:California, USA By: Calera Wine Co Sugar Content:2 g/L Sweetness Descriptor:D – Dry Style:Full-bodied & Rich Varietal:Chardonnay Description’Yes, Josh Jenson is nuts about limestone. That single word distinguishes this tiny region from everything else in California. Mount Harlan provides California with just about our only window on the French claim about the importance of this bedrock to their great Burgundies. There are, to be sure, other calcareous areas, notably the shales of Paso Robles west side, but true limestone is not a California thing’ (Clark Smith, appellationamerica.com, May 12, 2009). Serious Chardonnay fanatics won’t want to miss this uniquely mineral expression of Cali’s microscopic Mt. Harlan AVA, which contains just one winery: Calera.

I’ve been on a roll of good chards lately … This is another one. Pale to slightly golden in color with a mild nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely varietal apple and pear. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice toasty vanilla notes and some nice acidity. The fruit on this one is nice and expressive. A well made, not over oaked shard. I wuold give it an 88-89. Very nice for the price. Full bodied and rich.

14 Hands Chardonnay 2014 — VINTAGES#: 468546
STYLE – Full-bodied & Rich
14 Hands is named for the small but resilient wild horses that were once found throughout the Columbia River Basin. This Chardonnay has a soft caramel and oak undertone that supports the leading apple, citrus and mineral tones. Crafted in an easy-to-enjoy style, this is fresh and long with a creamy mouth feel. (VINTAGES panel, Feb. 2016) $18.95

Release Date:December 10, 2016
Alcohol/Vol 13.5% Made in: Washington, USA By: Chat Ste Michelle Sugar Content:6 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry

Dark in color with a nice red cherry nose. On the mid palate this is a lovely smooth cab sauv with lots of nice red cherries to match the nose. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth tannins along with some nice dryness that builds and lingers in the mouth. There’s a nice bit of complexity to this wine. It’s a more subtle well made cab yumm. I would give it an 89+. Very food friendly. We paired it with steak and it went REALLY well 🙂 I would agree with the LCBO’s description of full bodied and smooth. By the way, I had the 2012 at Quinns and it was equally as yummy.

From the LCBO web site:
St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 — VINTAGES#: 671164
STYLE – Full-bodied & Smooth
This is a deeply coloured, nicely rich yet quite well structured cabernet – as are so many 2013s from California. It has a classic, lifted nose of blackcurrants, herbs, dark chocolate and some oak sheen. It’s full bodied, fairly dense and still youthfully tannic but it is balanced. The length is very good to excellent. Good value in the overpriced universe of California cabs. Score – 91. (David Lawrason, winealign.com, July 20, 2016) $29.95

Release Date:December 10, 2016
Alcohol/Vol 14.6% Made in: California, USA By: Kobrand Corporation Sugar Content:13 g/L Sweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra Dry

Th Californians are making great strides at dialing down the oak on the chards and letting the fruit shine through. I submit this as an example. Pale to golden in color with a mild varietal nose. On the mid palate the chard fruit shines through with some lovely apple and pear. On the medium length finish the wine displays some lovely smokey, oaky notes along with some spicy notes. This is a lovely smooth varietal chard. Not over baked. It’s nice crisp and dry. I would give it a solid 89 which for the price is a great deal!

Sterling Chardonnay 2013 — VINTAGES#: 330233
STYLE – Full-bodied & Rich
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:November 12, 2016
Alcohol/Vol 13.5% Made in: California, USA By:Treasury Wine Estates Sugar Content:5 g/L Sweetness Descriptor:XD – Extra Dry Style:Full-bodied & Rich Varietal:ChardonnayDescriptionFounded in 1964, Sterling is both one of the foundational properties in Napa Valley and one of the first to work with Chardonnay. Their 2013 is sourced from sites in the southern reaches of the Napa Valley, and features fruit from cool-climate locations in Carneros. You can expect this to offer the bright and balanced acidity typical of these sites. It will be a great match for buttered shrimp. #22.95

Pale in color with a lovely rich nose of apple and pear. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely apple and pear along with some nice vanilla. The medium length finish displays some nice acidity. I would give it an 88 or so. A lovely varietal chard. Not over baked. It’s an essential so readily available.

Beringer Chardonnay — VINTAGES#: 84988
Beringer Chardonnay
STYLE – Full-bodied & Rich
Founded in 1876, Beringer is California’s longest continually operating winery. This Chardonnay is vivid and focused with tropical fruit, lemon, pear, toasty spice and zesty acidity. Creamy and round, this will be ideal for buttered lobster. $22.95

Release Date:April 1, 2016
Alcohol/Vol 14.1% Made in: California, USA By:Beringer Vineyards Sugar Content:5 g/L Sweetness Descriptor:D – Dry Style:Full-bodied & Rich

Garnet in color with a nice expressive varietal nose, lots of soft red fruits and rustic notes. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with some nice red fruits and rustic notes just the way a pinot noir ought to be! On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth tannins and acidity. I would give it an 88 or so.

Meiomi Pinot Noir — VINTAGES#: 130138
STYLE – Full-bodied & Smooth
A decadent and popular take on Pinot Noir is crafted by Joseph Wagner of the family behind Caymus. Loaded with chocolate, dark cherries and berries, it’s a generous wine with soft tannins. Enjoy tonight with baby back ribs, grilled salmon or rib-eye steaks. $23.95 WAS $26.95 SAVE $3.00

Release Date:April 1, 2016
Alcohol/Vol 14.5% Made in:California, USA By:Copper Cane LLC Sugar Content:12 g/L Sweetness Descriptor:D – Dry

This is a general list product. I love pinots, certain foods just pair perfectly with them, like salmon, duck etc … This one is garnet in color with a mild rustic nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice soft red berries along with some nice rustic notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice firm tannins, acidity and a hint of pepper. This is a bigger pinot. For the price it’s a BB Bargoon! I would give it an 88 or so. The fruit is not as expressive as some but good none the less.

From the LCBO web site:
Mirassou Pinot Noir — LCBO#: 185249
STYLE – Light-bodied & Fruity
pale ruby colour; raspberry, sour cherry and touch of vanilla in the nose; dry light to medium body; soft cherry and cranberry flavours, soft, smooth finish $14.45

Alcohol/Vol 13.5%Made in: California, USA By: Mirassou Vineyards Sugar Content:14 g/L Sweetness Descriptor:D – Dry Style:Light-bodied & Fruity