Shine On is the LCBO’s largest annual promotion of Ontario Wines. This promotion launches on September 15th with the release of 26 new LCBO wines. I had the chance to taste many of these wines and I can say that this is one of the most exciting releases of LCBO wines I have ever had the chance to try. There are many wines that well exceed their price point including two Pinot Noir’s that come in under the seventeen dollar price point, this is something almost unheard of when it comes to the Heartbreak Grape in Ontario.
Highlights Tasted with John Tory
13th Street Cuvee Sparkling Brut Rosé – $24.95 – VINTAGES 147504 – A great pink sparkler that is worth picking up and holding onto for your turkey days or to pair with bbq for the last few warm days of summer.
Brickyard Riesling 2012 – LCBO 346866 – $13.95 – Apple, Pear with subtle Honey Notes on the Aroma and Flavour. Laser beam like acidity that hits the back of the tongue and sticks around begging for the next sip.
Cattail Creek Cabernet Merlot 2010 – LCBO 344135 – $14.95 – This is a very fruit forward red wine with lots of Dark Cherry, Raspberry and slight Currant on the palette. Great wine to bridge the gap between late summer burgers and fall stews.
Tawse Grower’s Blend Pinot Noir 2010 – VINTAGES 130989 – $26.95 – Delicious! Exceptional Value! Buy two and keep one on the rack for a special occasion and drink the second immediately. You will not find a better value Pinot Noir at this price anywhere in the LCBO. A great balance between a soft and fruity Pinot with nice very, very subtle earth flavours on the finish.
Megalomaniac Local Squeeze White (Riesling) 2012 – LCBO 357418 – $13.95 – Bright Crisp Acidity with a lot of Lemon flavours. Just a touch of sweetness on the finish balanced off by great acidity. This is the best Riesling to come out of Megalomaniac since their fantastic 2009 Narcissist Riesling … and this one costs less!
Flat Rock Good Kharma Chardonnay 2010 – VINTAGES 356873 – $16.95 – Over the past year there have been many exceptional Oaked Chardonnay’s that have come in at the twenty dollar price point. This wine has a killer value! A nice round creamy buttery mouth feel with a lot of Pear and Pineapple flavours. There is a long finish on a wine that overall is very subtle.
Earth & Sky Pinot Noir 2010 – LCBO 343368 – $15.95 – Most Pinot Noir at this price point tastes like potting soil. If you’re a Pinot fan it can be frustrating to find something economical to consumer. Look no further! This is a great food friendly Pinot that is loaded with Cherry flavours and a nice balance with great earth flavours. Don’t let the price fool you this is a great all around wine whether you’re enjoying a pizza on a friday night or serving a lamb dish for a dinner party.
Other Highlights
Angel’s Gate Pinot Gris – LCBO 331215 – $13.95 – Very good with nice acidity and a long finish. Lots of tropical fruit on the palette.
Konzelmann Gewurztraminer – LCBO 392357 – $14.95 – A nice balance between floral flavours with nice sweetness and good acidity making for a nice clean finish.
Small Talk Burning Ambition White – LCBO 310433 – $13.95 – Mellow fruit flavours of tropical fruit, pear and peach. Perfect to pair with asian dishes
Coyote’s Run Pinot Noir – LCBO 53090 – $19.95 – Great Pinot Noir in the regular list at the LCBO. Coyote’s Run make great Pinot Noir that you can usually find in the Vintages section. Lots of Cherry with a nice smooth finish.
Cattail Creek Riesling 2012 – LCBO 241547 – $14.95 – Honey on the nose with loads of Pink Grapefruit flavours in this bottle with nice acidity on the finish.
Sandbanks Gewurztraminer 2011 – LCBO 392357 – $16.95 – Very floral aroma’s and flavours with nice balance between sweetness and acidity. Perfect match for asian cuisine.
Kacaba Unoaked Chardonnay 2012 – LCBO 326975 – $14.95 – Light, Crisp, Easy Drinking and Dry. This wine is a lot of fun to drink as the aromas and flavours are like a tribute to Ontario Orchards with flavours of Apple, Pear and Slight Peach.
Wayne Gretzky Pinot Noir – LCBO 326256 – $14.95 – This is a nice dry Pinot Grigio with lots of Pear aromas and Pear and Tropical flavours.
Reif The Empress Chardonnay 2011 – LCBO 346791 – $12.95 – Light, Crisp, Easy drinking! The tarot card bottles from Reif are a lot of fun! Very dry, but full of lemon and pineapple notes. A nice mellow finish coats your palette and hangs around for awhile. This is a wine that is a complete package of value, quality and snappy label.
Union Gold 2011 – LCBO 351049 – $14.95 – This is a great food wine with lots of Peach and Vanilla flavours on the palette. The finish is long with great acidity that isn’t too heavy.
Mike Weir Pinot Noir 2009 – LCBO 686972 – $16.95 – Another great value Pinot making it’s way into the regular list at the LCBO. Cherry and Raspberry fruits are dominant with nice spice and earth on the finish.
Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay – Vintages 302083 – $29.95 – The Ontario Bachelder wines are truly something special. The single vineyard Chard’s come in at over the forty dollar mark so try this one on for size if you’re not convinced,
