Author Archives: Twilight Wines

KIRKLAND SIGNATURE BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Champagne, France

01 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Champagne, Non LCBO Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Kirkland champagne

Cost: $19.99 US
Grape Variety: 65% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location Bought: Costco, Florida
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kirkland
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright yello gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

Happy New Year 2014 with this $20 Champagne!

Positives: This true champagne from Kirkland features a lot of yeast, mild toastiness, tart orange, peach, lemon marmalade & toffee. Full body with fairly good acidity & average length.

Negatives: A little too yeasty, tart & one dimensional.

Drink now on its own or pair it with peach pie.

Tasted: 1 January 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

FOUR HEARTS VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2010, Russian River Valley, California, United States

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Four Hearts

Cost: $49.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Four Hearts Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

As good as the 2009 was, the 2010 exceeds it. I don’t want to be too technical, but yummy, yummy & yummy!

Positives: This complex wine features medium+ toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, lemon meringue pie, ginger, roasted marshmallows, crème brûlée, walnuts, butterscotch, pineapple, orange, tangerines & limestone. Full body with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2010 has a minerality that the 2009 lacks. The wine is unfined & unfiltered.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with lobster for New Years Eve dinner.

Tasted: 27 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO: 95919

PEGASUS BAY PINOT NOIR 2007, Waipara Valley, New Zealand

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


pegasus

Cost: $47.95 (Clearance: $33.65)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Waipara Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Donaldson Family Ltd
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Reminds me of a cold crisp winter night with wood fireplaces burning their logs.

Positives: A nose that I can immerse myself in and the taste is not far behind. This wine features pine, crisp bacon, pomegranate, sour & dark cherry, violets, strawberry & a touch of earthiness.  Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with roasted pig.

Tasted: 26 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5+) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 31294

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR RESERVE 2009, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


2009_Baco_Noir_Reserve_web

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Consistently, Canada’s best Baco Noir is Henry of Pelham’s reserve

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, smoky embers, Gaeta olives, bacon, prunes, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, black currants, blueberry, chocolate, Portobello mushrooms & leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using a Pinot glass and lightly chill it.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with a melody of olives in olive oil.

Tasted: 22 Dec 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 461699

FOUR HEARTS VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2009, Russian River Valley, California, United States

22 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Four Hearts

Cost: $49.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Four Hearts Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Not for the faint at “heart”. Sorry couldn’t resist. Big, heavy, bold & utterly delicious.

Positives: This complex wine features medium+ toasted oak, vanilla, coconut, lemon meringue pie, roasted marshmallows, crème brûlée, walnuts, butterscotch, pineapple, orange & tangerines. Full body with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The wine is unfined & unfiltered.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with turkey for Christmas.

Tasted: 21 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 95919

WILLIAM HILL CHARDONNAY 2011, Central Coast, California, United States

22 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


William_Hill_Chardonnay_web

Cost: $18.99 CI
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Central Coast, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: William Hill Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple, on the sweeter style Chard.

Positives: This wine features mild toasted oak, lemon candy, peach, sweet corn, mango & ripe pineapple. Full body with medium acidity & an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For $10 more the William Hill Napa Chard is far superior and worth the extra money. See my tasting notes 12 Nov 2012

Drink now on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques.

Tasted: 12 Dec 2013

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

KING ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2009, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States

15 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


King Estate

Cost: $26.30 CI
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: King Estate
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple, light style Pinot Noir

Positives: This wine features pine, cranberry, sour cherry and some earth notes. Light body & tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with thin crust pizza.

Tasted: 15 Dec 2013

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 7/10 Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

DOMAINE CARNEROS BRUT BY TAITTINGER 2008, Method Champenoise, Carneros, California, United States

15 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Carneros

Cost: $33.99 CI
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Carneros
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

If you don’t want to pay triple the cost of a Taittinger vintage Champagne, yet have similar style & notes, this is one of the best.

Positives: This complex yet very smooth sparkling wine features yeast, lemon, brioche, Anjou pear, baked apples, tangerine, seaweed & wet stone. Medium body with good tannins and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 3 years in the bottle before being released.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with truffle oil Parmigiano French fries.

Tasted: 15 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5+/10 Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

MARQUIS DE LATOUR BRUT NV, Loire Valley, France

12 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


3258316030229_web

Cost: $16.99 CI (On sale $12.99 for the month of Dec 2013)
Grape Variety: Ugni Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Remy Pennier
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and plentiful mousse.

Well this was a nice surprise. Crisp, clean & easy to drink & at $13 it’s an amazing buy.

Positives: This sparkling features honeydew melon, lime, green apples, peach, pear & lemon grass. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with arugula and cherry tomato salad with lemon and chili olive oil vinaigrette.

Tasted: 12 Dec 2013

Amazing Buy when it’s under $13, and Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

THE OJAI VINEYARD 2005, Santa Barbara, California, United States

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Ojai

Cost: $19.99 CI
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Santa Barbara County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Ojai Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Inky ruby with purple tinge in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

What an amazing wine that I got for under $20 in the Cayman Islands. LCBO had it in 2011 for $39.99

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, tar, coffee beans, violets, cigar box, peppers, burnt rubber, ripe tamarind, tarragon, licorice & leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lucky I bought out the store with this wine.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with ragù alla Bolognese with garlic bread.

Tasted: 10 Dec 2013

Top Pick & Best Buy (in Cayman)

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5