Canadian Wine Guy

This is a blend of Cab Franc, Merlot, Cab Sauv and Malbec according to the back of the bottle. Exact blend is not mentioned. Nice and dark in color with a nice varietal cab franc nose. I wonder if the blend is listed as highest first? On the mid palate this is a lovely well made cab franc with lots of the usual notes coming through. Lots of dark cherries, some nice earthy notes and the like. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice acidity, a hint of greenness and some nice dryness that builds in the mouth. There’s a teenie tiny bit of sweetness present (noticeable only without food). Likely the malbec coming through. There’s also a hint of cab sauv coming through (again only noticeable without food). The tannins are nice and smooth. This is a smooth well made (maybe a bit young) cab franc. I would give it an 88-89. Quite nice. This has enough body and acidity to hold it’s own with nice hearty meats. I have to admit I was surprised how good it was! It made me wonder how yummy big and bold the cab franc would have been on it’s own! This was a gift from Sean … Thanks!

From the LCBO web site:
Bodega Atamisque Serbal Assemblage 2012 — VINTAGES#: 415331
STYLE – Full-bodied & Firm
Another bright and super pungent Cabernet Franc, this is electric and refreshing from the very beginning. Its flavours of red fruit and herbal notes are combined with a tense acidity. Drink: 2018-2024. Score – 95. (Patricio Tapia, decanter.com, Oct. 2, 2014) $19.95
Release Date:October 31, 2015
Alcohol/Vol 14.5% Made in: Tupungato, Argentina By:Bodega Atamisque S.A. Sugar Content:6 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry Style:Full-bodied & Firm Varietal:Cabernet Franc Blend

Pale in color with a slightly earthy nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some dry crisp notes along with some nice minerality. There’s a hint of earthy notes to match the nose. It bears some slight resemblance to a riesling. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice citrus notes. I would give it an 88 or so, not a bad Gruner but not an outstanding one either.

From the LCBO web site:
Fred Loimer Lois Grüner Veltliner 2013 — VINTAGES#: 422717
STYLE – Aromatic & Flavourful
A wonderful mix of white pepper, fresh lemon zest, herbal pungency and green pear flavors makes Grüner Veltliner such a success. Here it all comes in one focused, friendly and easy package, with peppery length. Score – 90. (Anne Krebiehl, MW, Wine Enthusiast, Aug. 2014) $17.95
Release Date: January 9, 2016 Alcohol/Vol 12.0% Made in: Kamptal, Austria By: Weingut Fred Loimer Sugar Content:3 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry Style: Aromatic & Flavourful

On behalf of CWG and I, we want to wish all of our readers a safe, happy and healthy New Year! May the imbibing be forever in your favor 🙂

Pale color with a smooth grassy nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice grassy notes to match the nose. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth acidity and lemon zest. This is a smooth well made softer sauv blanc. Very food friendly. I would give it an 88 or so …

From the LCBO web site:
Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2014 — VINTAGES#: 957407
STYLE – Aromatic & Flavourful
It’s beautifully lifted on the nose displaying stone fruit, feijoa and lime zest characters, followed by a succulent palate that’s intense and lively. The wine shows plenty of attractive flavours, leading to a refreshing finish. At its best: now to 2017. Score – 91. (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, Aug. 2014) $19.95
Release Date: December 12, 2015 Alcohol/Vol 13.5% Made in: Marlborough, New Zealand By: Cooper’S Creek Vineyard Ltd.Sugar Content: 5 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry Style:Aromatic & Flavourful

I am coming to appreciate Pinot noirs more and more. They are very food friendly. And is a go to for me when it comes to turkey and the like. This one is in the general list at the LCBO so very easy to put your hands on. Garnet in color with a nice rustic nose. On the mid palate the wine displays nice rustic notes to match the nose. Lots of varietal soft red berry notes. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice soft tannins and acidity. It is a varietal yummy pinot. I would give it an 88 or so. Very nice for the price.

Ara Pathway Pinot Noir — LCBO#: 416230
STYLE – Light-bodied & Fruity
Clear medium ruby in colour; forward cherry and berry aromas, with notes of spice and toasted oak; dry, with light/medium body, youthful, slightly grippy tannins and lively acidity; flavours of tart cherry and redcurrant, with spicy oak lingering on a long finish; drink now, or cellar for up to five years. $16.95

Alcohol/Vol 13.0% Made in: Marlborough, New Zealand By: Winegrowers Of Ara Ltd. Sugar Content:5 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry Style: Light-bodied & Fruity

Pale in color with a nice crisp nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with nice crisp, citrus notes. This is a super dry chennin, just the way I like them. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice acidity. This is a super food friendly wine. I would give it an 88-89 which for the price is a bargain!

From the LCBO web site:
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2014
Chenin Blanc
—VINTAGES#: 675421 | 750 mL bottle
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2014
STYLE – Aromatic & Flavourful
It looks like: The packaging is stunning in its simplicity. In a screw capped flint bottle, it bears the classic Mulderbosch ‘cigar’ label. In the glass it is gem bright, pale golden straw with lime green flashes around the edge of the glass. It smells like: Chenin Blanc whiffs of wet riverstones, white flowers and ripe tangy tropical fruits. Undertow of oak very appealing. It tastes like: A thread of chalkiness runs through from nose to tail. The white flowers, honeysuckle and frangipani sit comfortably with the kelpy minerality in the wine, the aftertaste of which is long and gently waning. (Michael Olivier, michaelolivier.co.za, April 28, 2015) $14.95

Release Date:August 8, 2015
Alcohol/Vol 13.5%Made in:Western Cape, South Africa By: Mulderbosch Sugar Content:6 g/L Sweetness Descriptor:D – Dry Style: Aromatic & Flavourful

Pale in color with a nice grassy nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice grassy notes to match the nose. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth acidity. The wine is very food friendly. I would give it an 88 or so. Not in the LCBO we had it off the by the glass at Reds Midtown …

Pale color with a super grassy nose, just jumping up to greet you! On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with lots of grassy notes along with some nice citrus coming through. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice lively acidity. This is a lovely edgy Sauv Blanc. I would give it an 88-89. Not in the LCBO but available from Marc Anothony by the case for $18.95 a bottle.

From the weinery’s web site:
2014 ORANGE LABEL MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Pale straw appearance. A lifted rich aroma with tropical fruit notes of fig, guava, gooseberry, and passionfruit complemented by citrus zest florals and fresh mown grass.

Spring was warm, dry and early in Marlborough, which was a bonus for our vineyard team who did not have to spend too many nights fighting off Jack Frost. This early advantage flowed into summer, which remained warm and dry throughout, thus laying the foundation for a quality harvest. These warm and dry conditions also resulted in grape acid levels declining faster than normal, and so we elected to harvest a significant number of blocks early to capture the great flavours and good acid balance. Picking on flavour with a careful eye on the maturity data certainly paid dividends in 2014, as when the late autumn rains did arrive, our company had already brought in over 90% of our total harvest, ahead of the regional average.