Wine of the Week for May , 2011

If you happen to want a change from well-known varietal wines, maybe you'll be interested in a couple of interesting blends.

The Knappstein Insider White 2010 - $14.95
Style: W3
Australia

Be on the lookout for forward stone fruit aromas, alongside  talc, honey, macintosh, and lime. Dry and crisp with apple/citrus flavour and just a hint of tropical fruits. Good body and very good length, this blend of riesling and gewurz and comes across a bit like pinot gris. I'd go with ravioli, quiche or sushi. (LCBO 212746)

Currently 180 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Ridgepoint Monticello Bianco 2009 - $13.95
Style: W3
Canada: Niagara

Rich and complex with peach, toffee, apple, pear, and lime aromas. Medium dry with soft acidity, ripe peach and tropical fruit flavours and a silky close. Very good body and length. Serve with something fruity or enjoy on its own with the next snap of warm weather. (LCBO 218651)

Currently 68 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for April 11, 2011

Ca' De Riva Valpolicella Ripasso 2008 - $13.95
Style: R3
Italy: Veneto

The nose here is very full, with aromas of roses, dark cherries, all-spice and vanilla. Quite big and juicy, showing vanilla, dark berries, solid tannins, and a pleasantly bitter close. Big and long, it's scrumptious and a worthy addition to your table or cellar. Try with  roast beast, duck, or hard cheeses. (LCBO 174482)

Currently 123 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for April 4, 2011

Mondavi Woodbridge Moscato 2009 - $11.95
Style: W3
USA: California


A rich muscat nose showing green grapes, yellow plum, lychee and floral with traces of peach and mint. The palate is equally lush -- medium sweet with layers of grape, passionfruit, lychee and mango atop a soft acidity. Good body; very good length. An excellent offering of this under appreciated grape and style. Partner with chocolate cake, crème caramel or pork with fruit. (LCBO 199216)

Currently 196 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for March 28, 2011

Argento Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - $12.95
Style: R3

Argentina

Deep garnet-black cherry colour, showing an opulent nose of rich spice, plum, tobacco, and chocolate. Silky smooth on the palate with cherry/raspberry flavour, firm acidity and soft tannins. Quite big and with very good  length. A great nose here with youngish palate. Could cellar well for 2-3 years plus, but yummy right now paired with beef tenderloin, rich stews are hearty cheeses.  (LCBO 164764)

Currently 137 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for March 21, 2011

Two Faces of Semillon *

Jacobs Creek Semillon Chardonnay 2009 - $11.30
Style: W1
Australia

Look for lush aromas of citrus and pineapple with hints of vanilla and apple. The palate is crisp and refreshing, with gobs of mixed citrus, tropical fruits and a smokey close. Very good body and length. Try with full flavoured fish, pork or cream sauces. (LCBO 219105)

Currently 161 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

A Canadian Moment

Alvar Semillon Sauvignon Blanc VQA 2009 - $12.95
Style: W2
Canada: Pelee Island

Rich platinum straw. 'creamy' aromas of citrus, pear and lanolin. Quite full with a sweet-and-sour impression, with a tart apple/citrus flavour. Very good body and length: the heft of a chardonnay with food friendly citrus and acidity. A good match for chicken salad or seafoods. (LCBO 215392)

Currently 130 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

* Semiillon  is often used to add some aroma to chardonnay and to add body to  sauvignon blanc.

Wine of the Week for March 14, 2011

Zenato  Veneto Rosso IGT 2008 - $11.60
Style: R1
Italy: Veneto

Pleasantly chianti-like on the nose, with plum, dark chocolate, espresso and rosebud aromas.  More dark chocolate and espresso evident on the palate mixed  with cherry and mild tannins. Very good body and length, and a good expression of the local style. An ideal mid-week pizza, spaghetti or burger wine . (LCBO 208579)

 

Currently 146 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

A Canadian Moment ...

East Dell Gamay Noir 2008 - $12.95
Style: R1
Canada: Niagara

It's hard to beat Ontario gamay for great price:performance ratio. Subtle aromas include raspberry, beet root and pepper with traces of oak. Nicely balanced tannins and acidity, with raspberry/strawberry flavour and a smokey close. Try with tex-mex or charcuterie. (LCBO 214890)

Currently 99 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for March 7, 2011

James Oatley TicTok Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - $14.95
Style: W2
Australia: Pemberton

Here's another value wine from Vintages. Look for subtle white grapefruit and pine aromas with traces of marshmallow and sweet grass. Zingy on the palate with rich citrus/grapefruit; round and luscious with a racy acidity. Fabulously refreshing with gobs of character. Try with ocean fish or avocado. (Vintages 187039)

Currently 165 LCBO Vintages stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

A Canadian Moment ...

Trius Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - $13.95
Style: W2
Canada: Niagara

Aromas include rich passionfruit, guava, grass and lime zest. A tangy palate, juicy with lemon and grapefruit flavours and crisp acidity. Smooth and aproachable and very atractively priced. A good choice for stuffed peppers or quiche. (LCBO 221804)

Currently 165 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for February 28, 2011

Mille Lire Ross Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2009 - $11.95
Style: R3
Italy

A subtle somewhat shiraz-like nose, with chocolate, dark berries and hints of cedar and cinnamon. Quite round and full with vanilla, ripe mixed berries, firm tannins and a touch of bitterness on the close. Big and juicy for this normally lightish brew, and in need of big foods such as lamb, osso bucco or any sort of game. (LCBO 207605)

Currently 243 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

A Canadian Moment ...

Aykroyd Merlot VQA 2008 - $14.95
Style: R3
Canada: Niagara

Look for dark fruits and spices with classic styling, although a bit closed at this stage. Smooth and creamy, with silky tannins, dark cherry/black currant flavour and a soft acidic core. Good body and very good length, this is extremely well done and would be suitable for cellaring or gifting, or try it with roast beef, beef tenderloin or roast chicken. (LCBO 214940)

Currently 102 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for February 21, 2011

Two Vintages offerings this time, and both well worth searching out.

James Oatley “Tik Tok” Chardonnay 2008 - $ 14.95

Style: W1

Australia

Look for delicate aromas of tropical fruits, apple, pear, and melon with just a hint of mineral. Obvious oak on the palate, with more tropical fruits, a whiff of smoke and a crisp acidic close. Very good body and length. Juicy yet mellow and flavourful -- very approachable. Try with BBQ bird, ocean fish, or pork. (Vintages 187104)

Currently 188 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Calamus Estate Unoaked Chardonnay 2008 - $ 13.95

Style: W1

Canada: Niagara

The nose presents lush citrus, tropical fruits, butter, and toast. Slightly racy, with gobs of fresh ripe fruits, pineapple, and ripe grapefruit. Quite big and long, with a tangy, spicy close. Top drawer stuff, and definitely under-priced. Try with roast pork or bird. (Vintages 210062)

Currently 52 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for February 7, 2011

Can you use Good, Bargain, and Pinot Noir in the same sentence? Sure!

Red Truck Pinot Noir 2008 - $ 13.95
Style: R1
USA: California

Medium-ruby coloured with a touch of  mahogany. Rather fruity on the nose, with plum, red currant, cola, and a hint of spice. Nippy on the tongue -- sweetish -- with negligible tannins, ripe dark cherry and red currant flavours and a zingy close. Good body and very good length. Quite a nice wine, decent value, with some cellar potential. Try with any sort of bird or antipasto.(LCBO 177931)

Currently  LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

A Canadian Moment ...

Stone Church Niagara Pinot Noir 2008 - $ 13.95
Style: R1
Canada: Niagara

Light Ruby with a hint of brick at the rim, showing delicate aromas of red berries with nuances of cedar, vanilla and spice. Somewhat bitter but pleasantly so, with flavours of prune, plum, cheery, some spice, and just a hint of tannic. Pretty good body and length, it's a decent offering though slightly on the bitter side. Packed in a "Eco" bottle (i.e. Lighter glass). A good match for charcuterie and soft cheeses. (LCBO 201707)

Currently  LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for January 31, 2011

35 South Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2009 - $ 12.95
Style: W2
Chile

Look for rich grassy aromas with hints of gooseberry and talc. Tasty enough, with ripe citrus, a hint of apple, soft acidity and just a touch of spritz. Good body and very good length. Gentle-mannered on the palate with a superb nose. Try with light fish or risotto. (LCBO 170001)

Currently 142 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

A Canadian Moment ...

Pelee Island Eco Trail Chardonnay-Auxerrois 2008 - $ 9.95
Style: W1
Ontario

Gobs of butter, ripe apple, and pear, with hints of tropical fruits and caramel. Off-dry with pineapple, grapefruit and more, bolstered by a racy acidity. Quite  full  with  very good length.  Sumptuous, verging on over the top -- chardonnay for shiraz lovers! Try it with burgers, schnitzel or pork roast. (LCBO 591719)

Currently 308 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

Wine of the Week for January 3, 2011

Pascual Toso Malbec Limited Edition 2007 - $ 14.95
Style: R2
Argentina


Aromas include delicate coffee, tea and dark chocolate with nuances of vegetal, cedar and vanilla. Quite delicate on the palate, with dark berry and coffee flavours. Good body and length, and suitable for mid week. Serve with pork or beef roast or game bird. (LCBO 162610)


Currently 182 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)

A Canadian Moment ...

Malivoire Guilty Men Red 2008 - $ 14.95
Style: R3
Canada: Niagara

The first impression suggests shiraz but quickly leads to bell pepper, damp wood, cedar, pepper, and dark plum. Round, almost cheery, with soft tannins, plum and blackberry flavour, and a smooth acidic core. Good body and length. Quite a sophisticated wine that could cellar well for 2-5 years. Try with any sort of beef or pizza. (LCBO 192674)

Currently 180 LCBO stores have 6 or more bottles (according to on-line database)