This 2019 La Matinera Dolcetto d’Alba shined as a sipping wine, and it offered plentiful notes, including basil (you read that right)… Name: La Matinera Vintage: 2019 Producer: Rocche Dei Manzoni Region/Country: Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Dolcetto d’Alba Alcohol Level: 12.5% Consumed: At home Recommended By: The Charlie’s Burger Wine Program team Cost: … Read more
This Appassimento method red wine impressed us on day one, and it continued to shine 5 days later! Name: La Penna Vintage: 2012 Producer: Cave Spring Vineyard Region/Country: Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Franc Alcohol Level: 17% (at this alcohol level, La Penna approaches some fortified wines) Consumed: At home Recommended By: … Read more
A versatile Tempranillo of great value… Name: Anciano Gran Reserva 7 Years Vintage: 2010 Producer: Anciano, Bodegas Navalón Region/Country: Valdepeñas, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Tempranillo Alcohol Level: 13% Consumed: At home Recommended By: At the local liquor board store, the LCBO. Cost: $13.95 CAD If you want a more detailed wine review, read on… Bottle Presentation … Read more
A food-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon blend that will only improve with age… Name: The Cabernets Vintage: 2014 Producer: Skillogalee Region/Country: Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased at the winery itself, but some of Skillogalee’s offerings are available at the local liquor … Read more
A fantastic Barbera, showcasing vibrant red fruit and great acidity. As a bonus, this food-friendly wine comes at a great price point… Name: Maraia Vintage: 2017 Producer: Marchesi di Barolo Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Barbera Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased at the local liquor board store, the LCBO. Cost: $19.95 … Read more
A great Bordeaux-style blend at an enticing price point… Name: The Point Vintage: 2015 Producer: Te Whau Vineyard Region/Country: Waiheke Island, New Zealand Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased it in a local wine shop on Waiheke Island while visiting the gorgeous … Read more
A good Gamay from one of the better regions in Beaujolais (Moulin-à-Vent)… Name: Laurent Perrachon et Fils Moulin-à-Vent Terres Roses Vintage: 2017 Producer: Laurent Perrachon et Fils Region/Country: Appellation Moulin-à-Vent Contrôlée, Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais, France Grape Varietal(s): Gamay Alcohol Level: 13% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the LCBO Vintages section … Read more
A very good IGT from a spectacular region in Italy… Name: Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo Vintage: 2015 Producer: Poggio al Tufo Region/Country: Maremma Toscana, Tuscany, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Sangiovese (60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) Alcohol Level: 13% Consumed: At home on a brisk fall evening Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the LCBO … Read more
A big, bold Tempranillo from Toro, Spain… Name: Numanthia Vintage: 2011 Producer: Numanthia Region/Country: Toro, Spain Grape Varietal(s): Tempranillo Alcohol Level: 14.5% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the Heathrow Airport Duty Free Cost: $69.00 CAD at the LCBO Bottle Presentation: An interesting combination of gothic and Egyptian styles with … Read more
A good-to-very good Chianti Classico Riserva from the heart of the Chianti region… We very much looked forward to opening this Chianti Classico Riserva after having cellared it for a number of years. As expected, it offered a gorgeous and vibrant ruby-garnet hue, which caught more than one eye during dinner. Produced in the heart … Read more