Category Archives: Best Buys

Recommended wines considering the price, usually under $25, where it’s from, the winery and the varietal.

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE OTTONEL MEDIUM DRY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2015

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Muscat

Cost: $12.15
Grape Variety: Muscat Ottonel
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 12.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique to Canadian wines, this Muscat Ottonel delivers tropical sweetness with a nice refreshing finish.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features ylang ylang flowers on the nose followed by peach, mangos, honeydew melon, sweet apples, cantaloupe followed by pink grapefruit on the finish. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Matthew from Magnotta’s Vaughan store for recommending his favourite white wine by the company.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own as an aperitif or digestif.

Tasted: 7 April 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES PINOT BLANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2015

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Magnotta Pinot Blanc

Cost: $9.15 (On sale April 2015, $8.45)
Grape Variety: Pinot Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

If you’re looking for something different in whites that’s Canadian, try this versatile crisp wine.

Description: Light gold in colour with a low intense nose. This wine features lemon rind, passion fruit, honeydew melon and grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Not too many 2013 left as 2014 is now on their shelves.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Orange, Walnut, Gorgonzola and Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette.

Tasted: 7 April 2015

Best Buy

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

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

GLORIA FERRER CHARDONNAY 2011, Carneros, California, United States

07 Tuesday Apr 2015

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Gloria Ferrer

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $18.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gloria Ferrer Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful, balanced, good quality Carneros Chard for under $25 & under 14% alcohol

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toast, lemon rind, oak spice, Anjou pear, green apple, peach, clove, nutmeg, pink grapefruit, vanilla bean and a touch of caramel. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Recommended serving temperature is 12-16 C or 54-61 F

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Olive Leaf Pasta with Nutmeg Cream Sauce.

Tasted: 31 March 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5+/10) Total: 18/20

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

LCBO: 83345

KEINT-HE VOYAGEUR PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Sunday Apr 2015

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Keint-He

Cost: $18.00
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Keint-He Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, simple, but very nice. One of the best Canadian Pinot’s for under $20

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, nutmeg and light earthy notes. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Roasted Pork Loin with Raspberry Chipotle Glaze.

Tasted: 3 April 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 373407

THE CRUSHER WILSON VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2013, Clarksburg, California, United States

22 Sunday Mar 2015

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the crusher

Cost: $16.99 (Cayman Islands funds) $16.95 LCBO
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands or LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Clarksburg, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Crusher Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great alternative to Chard with a balance of citric & tropical fruit with creaminess on the finish

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, apricot, mango, green apples, lime and chalk. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

2012 Vintage reviewed in Dec 2013 and just as good but now it’s $5 less expensive

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with chicken roulades stuffed with mango chutney and Brie

Tasted: 22 March 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 361964

TINAZZI VALDOBBIANDENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE BRUT NV, DOCG Valdobbiandene, Veneto, Italy

22 Sunday Mar 2015

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Tinazzi

Cost: $24.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Valdobbiadene, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Casa Vitivinicola Tinazzi
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but full flavoured Prosecco

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features lots of peach and pear followed by cantaloupe and green heirloom tomatoes. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with poached eggs on a bed of kale and tomatoes

Tasted: 22 March 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LUGANA 2014, DOC Veneto, Italy

21 Saturday Mar 2015

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Immagini 041

Cost: $18.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Trebbiano di Luganda (Turbiana)
Category: White Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Lake Garda, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Campagnola
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, refreshing & versatile wine

Description: Yellow straw in colour with a medium+ intense. This wine features lychee, gooseberry, pink grapefruit, Bartlett pear, Logan berry and limestone on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Interesting grape, interesting bottle, both of which I really like. Unique grape with notes that are a blend between Sauvignon Blanc & Viognier

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room for recommending this wine

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with German potato salad

Tasted: 19 March 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ALMADI BARDOLINO CHIARETTO ROSÉ 2013, DOCG Lake Garda, Bardolino Charetto, Veneto, Italy

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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

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rose

Cost: $16.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Corvina, Rondinella & Molinara
Category: Rosé Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Lake Garda, Bardolino Charetto, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Almadi
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Rosé tasted. Balanced, substance, versatile & just plain yummy

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense. This complex wine features the fragrant bouquet of cherry blossoms, with strawberry, tangerine, Spy apple, white cranberry and pineapple on the palette. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried this in several different wine glasses; all were slightly different and yet all very good.

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room for recommending this wine

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with chicken spicy Thai chicken soup

Tasted: 17 March 2015

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

ACROBAT PINOT NOIR 2012, Oregon, United States

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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

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Acrobat

Cost: $17.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Tortuga
Country: France
Region: Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: King Estates
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

This Pinot achieves an all too rare goal in this day and age, delivering a high quality, Oregon Pinot Noir at an affordable price

Description: Medium to light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense. This juicy wine features pine, cranberry, wild strawberry, rhubarb, autumn forest smells, cinnamon & cloves. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with slow smoked ham served with mango and braised sweet onion.

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: 11 March 2015

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

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

INAMA VIN SOAVE CLASSICO 2013, DOC Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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lab_Vin_Soave

Cost: $18.59 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Garganega
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Soave Classico, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inama
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Good balance of crispness and creaminess as a result of the malolactic fermentation

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense. This wine features peach, pear, apricot, elder flower, chalk and sweet almond on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with citrus and mango marinated conch.

Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for suggesting it

Best Buy

Tasted: 16 March 2015

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4