Beringer Founder’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

LCBO#: 534263
Price: $16.95
Made in: California, USA
By: Beringer Vineyards

Reviewed this Cabernet Sauvignon about three years ago, and was not super pleased – yet, loved Beringer wines I had tried before. Let’s give it another go. Nice blackberry nose with some cherries and more fruitiness, than sugar sweetness like the Jackson Triggs cheaper version (a go-to wine here). Wet mouthfeel with a little dryness in the finish. Not much stays on the tongue. Maybe a little tart, but missing the tannins. Listening to Run DMC’s Tougher than Leather right now… and that is what is missing as well – leather.

Rating: 3.4/5

Trapiche Reserve Malbec 2018

LCBO#: 614651
Price: $12.95
Made in: Mendoza, Argentina
By: Bodegas Trapiche

Another inexpensive Argentinian red wine, which we purchased the 1500ml bottle for $10 more than the 750ml bottle. Still, a nice classy label. The aromas of this one is where this one shines. Woodsy at first, but the cherry notes and hints of plums do come out. Even vanilla is felt with time. The mouthfeel is lightly dry with just a touch of tannins. Seems to get dryer with every sip though. Black cherry notes are tasted, but the flavours are milder. Does seem to taste better alone, than with food. Well done overall – a not pricy, lower sugar content Malbec (13.5% ABV).

Rating: 3.6/5

Villa Maria Lightly Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc

LCBO#: 429969
Price: $17.95
Made in: Marlborough, New Zealand
By: Villa Maria Estates Ltd.

A New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that is lightly bubbly. The aromas are full of fruitiness showing off the grapes of summer. Seems very sweet, but the taste does not show this as much. Citrus flavours with hints of vanilla. Still rich compared to a Sparkling and the yeast is better hidden. Also, the bubbles are not as tiny and abbondant. Crisp, fruity and refreshing for the warm season. Quite nice!

Rating: 3.7/5

Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

LCBO#: 293043
Price: $17.95
Made in: Blenheim, New Zealand
By: Brancott Estate Ltd
Year: 2016

This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc gives out big fruity nose with grapefruit notes at first. Then the grape kicks in. The taste is fruity as well with some sweetness at the beginning, then some light sourness. All well-blended with some very light yeast tart in the finish. The finish is a little short, but what a great refreshing fruity white wine that is quite easy to drink. Not too sweet, just feels right overall… so when on special, jump on this one.

Rating: 4.2/5

Inniskillin Late Autumn Riesling

LCBO#: 219543
Price: $14.25
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: Inniskillin Estate Wines
Year: 2015

Purchased a 2013 bottle a few years back and quite liked it. This 2015 one is fruity smelling with notes of apples, honey and some tropical light fruits. The taste is sweet, but not syrupy. These grapes flavours are refreshing and wet at first, going into some nice medium dry finish with very light alcohol. The raisins then linger on the tongue. This is one I don’t mind having every year heading for winter. A good comfort wine. P.S. The 2013 bottle I kept did not cellar well.

Rating: 4.1/5

Sandbanks Cabernet Franc VQA

LCBO#: 177485
Price: $14.95
Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: Alto Sandbanks Estate Winery
Year: 2015

This Canadian Cabernet Franc gives out peppery notes in the aromas with plums and mild hints of strawberries. The taste is pretty sweet overall, but not syrupy. Some decent dryness helps this with the light tannins. Berries lingers. Pepper and leather in the background. Not a bad fruity red wine. Just a little too sweet for our liking. A tad pricey overall.

Rating: 3.1/5