Tag: LCBO

wine review: Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva 2016

Matt's review: Established in 1959, Campo Viejo is Rioja's leading producer, and the 2016 Gran Reserva Rioja is prime example of the high quality and great value wines this Spanish winery is renowned for. Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva 2016 is a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuela, sourced from old vine vineyards (35+ years old) throughout Rioja. Aged in barrel for two years followed by a minimum of three years in bottle prior to release, earning the Gran Reserva designation and making it ready for immediate enjoyment once released. Ruby red colour, the nose shows plum, dried fruits, currants, wood spice, forest floor, and leather. The palate repeats the rustic and refreshing character of the wine with great structure, elegant tannins, and a refreshing finish. Showing great complexity and balance now, it's primed to enjoy now and over the next decade with savoury dishes, stews, paella, and aged cheese. Tasted November 18, 2023. 92+ points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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wine review: St. Hugo GSM 2021

St. Hugo has been crafting fine wines since their first vintage in 1980. While Australia's Barossa Valley is renowned for Shiraz, Grenache has gained great attention and become a favourite varietal star as of late, contributing both floral and spicy characteristics in the wines. St. Hugo's GSM, is a blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro, which brings the best of the Barossa Valley in one elegant and inviting blend. The nose shows delicious dark plum, crushed raspberry, cherry, mocha, floral and graphite minerality notes. The palate highlights its elegant style, this GSM is yummy and light on its feet, showing great elegance and concentration, structure and impeccable balance. 2021 vintage was an exceptional vintage, arguably the best in 20 years, and St. Hugo GSM is a great representation of this fine vintage and one that is showing beautifully now and will shine bright the next 10+ years. Tasted November 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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wine review: Cloudsley Twenty Mile Bench Chardonnay 2020

Cloudsley Cellars is situated on the Twenty Mile Bench in Ontario’s Niagara region, where they produce some of the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir you'll taste. Their Twenty Mile Bench Chardonnay, happens to be their non-single vineyard offering, is absolutely delightful! Wow! So harmonious, flavourful, intriguing. Medium-full bodied with refreshing yellow apple, almond croissant, tropical fruit, and sweet banana chip flavours…oak influence adding some further aromatic, flavour, and textural complexity. It’s a love-at-first-sip wine you’ll fall in love with, well if you’re like me you will . Tasted October 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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wine review: Henkell Crémant de Loire 2016 now at LCBO

From France's Loire Valley, Henkell's Crémant de Loire 2016 is a blend of Chenin (60%), Chardonnay (20%), Pinot Noir (15%), and Cabernet Franc (5%), crafted in the traditional method to produce an elegant, refreshing, and very approachable sparkling wine which is perfect for any occasion. With several years of bottle age it's shinning now with great aromatic, flavour, and textural harmony. Inviting baked apple, pear and orchard fruit characteristics with a fine creamy mousse making this vintage 2016 Crémant de Loire a great choice to enjoy now and over the next couple years with autumn dishes, Lox bagel, canapés, and spicy Asian cuisine. Tasted September 2023

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wine review: La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir 2019

2019 Monterey Pinot is very approachable with impressive complexity on the nose and palate, something you don’t always get that this price point. Look for cherry, raspberry, plum, fragrant herbs with a subtle earthiness and flinty minerality on the nose and palate. Ripe, refreshing, and polished, it’s showing beautifully now and will be great over the next few years paired alongside braised grouse with bacon and sage, grilled pork tenderloin with a cherry compote, or wood-fired Margherita pizza. All great pairings with this value-priced Pinot. Tasted September 2023. 92 points.

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wine review: Hidden Bench

First impressions of this single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from @hiddenbench … wow! Béton (as in concrete vessel fermented and aged) and sourced from the Rosomel Vineyard on Ontario’s Beamsville Bench. Expressive, lovely lemon grass, pear, lemon meringue, floral, flinty minerality, and superbly balanced. Certified organic, and absolutely delicious! Bravo @hiddenbench ! Tasted August 2023. 93 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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wine review: Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2021

2021 Black Sheep Riesling shows crisp yellow apple, pear, wildflower honey, and impressive minerality with subtle petrol notes on the nose. Medium bodied, the palate is creamy with lively acidity, a faint hint of sweetness on the mid palate (a key element of Black Sheep's food pairing magic) disappears as the refreshing and textured orchard fruit and mineral finish persists. This versatile wine makes pairing spicy or tangy foods a breeze whether its BBQ ribs, wings, Pad Thai, or Sweet Chili Heat Doritos - this Black Sheep is a spicy food pairing super star. Enjoy over the next couple years. Tasted June 2023. 90 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca

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