Canadian Wine Guy

Pale straw in color with a mild nose. On the mid palate without food the wine displays some crisp tart, lime and even a hint of smokiness. On the medium length finish the citrus notes and vibrant acidity live on in the mouth. However, we paired it with Alfredo sauce on a butternut squash ravioli and not a chance it was holding it’s own, so be careful what you serve it with. I would give it an 87-88, which , honestly, for this price, I expect more, I won’t be rushing out to grab more. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$19.95LCBO#:293399

Product Details

… the 2020 Alto Adige Pinot Grigio offers fresh layers of lemon, green apple, kiwi and a hint of summer grass or dried straw. This is an easy-drinking wine with a cheerful and immediate personality that would pair with an epic platter of fried shrimp. However, you also get that touch of extra complexity and tonic freshness that comes easily to the high-altitude wines of the Italian Dolomites. Drink date: 2021-2023. Score – 90. (Monica Larner, robertparker.com, Sept. 16, 2021)

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• Alcohol/Vol 15.5%
• Made In Alto Adige, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Conten t3 g/L
• Varietal Pinot Grigio

Garnet in color with a nice cherry and red berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some lovely cherry notes, red berries and tomatoes! On the medium length finish the wine displays some vibrant acidity that sticks nicely to the mouth along with some nice tannins, nice and dry. This is a spot on varietal chianti classico, we paired it with grilled trout and it went nicely! I would give it an 88 or so … I think I will go get more! From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$19.95LCBO#:573501

Product Details

A rich, layered red with cherry, plum and light chocolate character. Some tile, too. Medium-bodied, creamy and beautiful. Drink or hold. Score – 93. (jamessuckling.com, Oct. 27, 2020)

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• Alcohol/Vol14.6%
• Made In Tuscany, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Content 2 g/L
• Varietal Sangiovese

Inky dark in color with a mild black fruit nose. On the mid palate the wine packs a punch with big black cherry notes along with some mocha, spice, and some pepper. On the medium length finish the wine delivers some solid palate coating tannins, firm acidity and lovely dryness. The rich dark berry notes along with the tannin live on in the mouth. This is NOT a wimpy Merlot, this is a serious one that punch WAY above it’s price point in complexity. It’s a little young, some aging would soften it a bit. I would give this a solid 88 … yumm. From the LCBO website, check stock.

$14.95VINTAGES#:23390

Product Details

This Merlot was macerated on the grape skins for 8-10 days and aged in tanks for 8-10 months. Vintage after vintage, it carries complexity and depth well beyond its humble price tag. Expect brambly blackberry and juicy cherry embroidered by rose petals and a sprinkling of black pepper, and pair with grilled red meats and forest mushrooms, or a selection of semi-hard cheeses.

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• Release Date September 10, 2022
• Alcohol/Vol 13%
• Made In Veneto, Italy
• By Vintages Front Line Release
• Sugar Content 2 g/L
• Varietal Merlot

We don’t get a lot of Falanghina’s here, so when we do I pounce on them. Another of the unique indigenous grapes of Italy! You could spend a career learning these wines, oh the agony of the challenge 🙂 Pale straw in color with a nice apple nose, similar to chard on the nose … On the mid palate the wine displays some nice tart green apple notes, some nice lime citrus and some minerally notes … On the medium length finish the nice tartness, acidity and citrus notes linger nicely, even more pronounced without food, nice and dry! Be careful what you pair it with, this is a softer gentler wine. We paired it with bacon quiche and the wine was almost overpowered. This is not a bad price for a Falanghina, I may go back and grab some more, I bet it would easily keep a couple years. I would give this an -88. From the LCBO website, check stock:

$21.95VINTAGES#:23867

Product Details

Masseria Altemura is situated in the heart of Salento halfway between the Ionian and Adriatic seas. Its unique terroir is shaped by sea breezes that refresh vines rooted in white calcareous rock and the red soil of Salento. Expect a citrusy wine with touches of white flowers, luscious peach and apricot, and a mineral finish. Sip with seafood risotto, or seared scallops in herbed butter.

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• Release Date August 13, 2022
• Alcohol/Vol 12.5%
• Made In Puglia, Italy
• Sugar Content 5 g/L
• Varietal Falanghina

Dark in color with a black berry nose. On the mid palate the wine delivers nice bold black cherries and the like. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice bold tannins and acidity … nice and dry. When I buy a Nero d’Avola I expect an earthy, edgy wine, I was shocked at how refined this one is. Now given the price point I guess I should have expected it … I would give it an 88 or so. Quite an interesting wine if you’ve never had a Nero d’Avola, it’s certainly a good one. From the LCBO web site, check stock:

$24.95VINTAGES#:523738

Product Details

Sweet violets and rose come together with crushed blackberries and a spritz of tangerine to form an inviting bouquet as the 2019 Nero d’Avola Lagnusa opens in the glass. It’s silky-smooth and round, the ripe black fruits and confectionary spices creating a seductive display. Brisk acids and minerals build tension through the finale, making pleasant punctuation to such an extroverted yet balanced expression. Drinking window: 2021-2026. Score – 92. (Eric Guido, vinous.com, June 2021)

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• Organic

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• Release Date July 16, 2022
• Alcohol/Vol 13.2%
• Made In Sicily, Italy
• By Feudo Montoni
• Sugar Content 2 g/L
• Varietal Nero d’Avola