2016 Chateau des Charmes Gamay Noir – LCBO 57349 – $15.95 – ****+ – One thing about the Chateau des Charmes Gamay is that every vintage it’s going to offer something fantastic. This is a little more savory than past vintages with a very strong pepper note that goes from...
13th Street has recently finished building a new addition to their facility. I was shocked to see how quickly the new addition had been built. I usually make a few pilgrimages to the barn to grab some buttertarts or stock up on Saskatoon jam (one of the few places in...
2016 Vineland Estates Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling – Vintages 38117 – $19.95 – ****+ – This continues to be a show-stopper and benchmark for quality and price in the province. This brings perfect balance with acidity but the sweetness on the palate brings an army of fruit to this...
2016 Rosewood Sussreserve Riesling – Vintages 258806 – $15.95 – **** – Well this is something different – a little more serious – a little more complex. I have long used the Sussreserve as a go-to when talking about Ontario Riesling, it was straight-forward and easy drinking. It would seem...
2015 Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay – Vintages 172338 – $24.95 – **** – The short note – this is the best Triomphe Chardonnay that I can remember. The long – Aromas are spicy and layered over apples and peach. This wine opens up on the palate with nice weight and texture....
This pair of wines from the general list of the LCBO are a nice reminder that delicious Ontario wine doesn’t need to be expensive. 2016 13th Street White Burger Blend (Pinot Grigio/Riesling) – LCBO 469304 – $14.95 – ***1/2+ – Simply put, the definition of a patio sipper. This is...
2015 Vieni Gamay Noir – Vintages 498519 – $17.95 – ****½ – The intensity of everything in this wine will make you want to stand up and applaud it. The nose is rich black cherry and climbs out of the glass with such concentration it feels like an invasion of...
2015 Wildass Riesling – Vintages 129700 – $16.95 – ***½+ – The Wildass label continues to be one of my favorite on the shelf of the LCBO. This is the second label from Stratus, and as with the wines under the “premium” label (I use this word reluctantly) the bar...
2014 Gamay Noir – LCBO 57349 – $13.95 – ****+ – In a recent social media post I called this “liquid awesome”. The nose is inviting with red and dark cherry with a subtle earthiness. The nose on this wine feels a little heavier than when it hits your mouth....
Recently I posted my thoughts on the fantastic Beaujolais producer Dominique Piron. I also mentioned that the wines are not available in Canada. It turns out, I was wrong. While I still wish that these bottles were available at the LCBO the people at Lifford (LINK) have brought in a...
2014 Creekside Estate Marianne Hill Riesling – Vintages 443572 – $19.95 – ***** – Here is your first perfect score of 2016. This wine came out of left field from a winery that is better known for Syrah. The nose offers a nice mineral quality on top of lemon, lime...
2014 Trius Gamay Noir – $19.95 – ****+ – Winery Only and Wine Shop Locations – This is the first Trius Gamay I have had the chance to taste in recent memory. There is a lot going on in this bottle but I hesitate to use the word complex …...
