Category Archives: Best Buys

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

CUVÉE 2010, Dalmatia, Croatia

21 Monday Apr 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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croatia

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Syrah
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Croatia
Region: North Dalmatia’s Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Benkovac
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Three reasons to buy this wine: 1. Taste’s good, 2. Dalmatia is an ancient wine growing area that is coming back to form after the Soviet Union reign & 3. It’s only $15.95, can’t loose

Positives: This wine features a beautiful nose and an old world rustic taste. It shows cedar, blackberry, blueberry, oyster mushrooms, leather, graphite, sage, thyme, dark cherry & plum. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with rib-eye steak.

Tasted: 12 April 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 359901

JEAN MARC BROCARD CHABLIS 2011, AC Chablis, France

19 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Chablis

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Chablis
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jean-Marc Brocard
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Hard to find a great Chablis is for under $20

Positives: This complex wine features Easter lily, lemon/lime, pink grapefruit, Brie rind, Spy apple, honey, almonds and limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: From single vineyard “Sainte-Claire” 30 year old vines on Kimmeridgian Limestone fermented with indigenous yeast.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Beausoleil oysters in honey, ginger & shallot vinaigrette.

Tasted: 14 April 2014

Best Buy and Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 356634

THE HERMIT CRAB, VIOGNIER MARSANNE 2012, McLaren Vale, Australia

08 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Hermit Crab

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: 68% Viognier, 32% Marsanne
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: D’Arenberg
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A full flavoured delicious wine for under $20

Positives: This wine features light oak, jasmine, apricot, peach, lemon, mandarin, thyme and peach pit. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried this wine with two different Riedel glassware: one Viognier and the other Sauvignon Blanc style. The Viognier glass presented a more smooth wine with an unexpected peach pit on the finish. Meanwhile, the Cab Sauv glass was more vibrant and crisp with a less noticeable peach pit finish. Both equally good, just depends on what you’re looking for.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with tuna tartare in lemongrass marinade.

Tasted: 2 April 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 662775

RUSTENBERG R.M NICHOLSON 2010, Stellenbosh, South Africa

02 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Rustenberg_Rm_Nicholson_2010_web

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot & Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rustenberg
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A lot going on for a wine under $20

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, dark cherry, hickory, cocoa, eucalyptus, pepper, cassis, arugula, radicchio and licorice. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Rustenberg was founded in 1682, but South Africa is still labeled as New World. Decant for 30 min to an hour.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with an aged T-bone steak.

Tasted: 26 March 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 278390

JOSEPH CARR CHARDONNAY 2011, St. Helena, Sonoma County, California, United States

15 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Joseph Carr
 
Cost: $22.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: St. Helena, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Joseph Carr
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.
 
A delicious well balanced Chard that easy to drink
 
Positives: This complex wine features medium minus toasted oak, butter, mango, pineapple, clementine, nectarine, dill and ginger. Full body with good acidity and a long length.
 
Negatives: None
 
Interesting Note: Joseph also produces a Chard in honour of his father, Josh. However, Joseph’s Chard is better.
 
Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with fried salt and pepper breadfruit.
 
Tasted: 15 March 2014
 
Best Buy
 
Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20
 
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

TANDEM PELOTON 2006, Sonoma County, California

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Tandem

Cost: $22.00 Cayman Island
Grape Variety: Primarily Pinot Noir 
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Liquor Outlet
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wine Creek Cellars
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby and garnet with an intense nose.

A juicy & rich Pinot Noir style wine

Positives: This complex wine features pine, violets, strawberry, pomegranates, oyster mushrooms, forest brush, dark cherry, wood smoke, coffee & Rosemary. Medium minus in body, light tannins with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Tandem combines five red and three white grape varieties. Chill lightly 

Drink now on its own or pair it with Peking duck.

Tasted: 10 January 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

VAL DELLE ROSE MORELLINO DI SCANSANO 2010, DOCG Maremma, Tuscany, Italy

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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val-delle-rose-morellino-scansano-362x630

Cost: $21.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Sangiovese
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Maremma, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Morellino Di Scansano
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

A new Sangiovese favourite of mine due to its smoothness

Positives: This complex wine features sweet cherry tobacco on the nose, light oak, sour and dark cherry, prunes, boysenberry, white pepper & thyme. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for recommending the wine.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with New York style pizza.

Tasted: 9 March 2014

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20

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

FANTINI CUVEÈ COCOCCIOLA NV, Charmat Method, Abruzzo, Italy

09 Sunday Mar 2014

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

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farnese-fantini-cuvee-cococciola-spumante-abruzzo-italy-10516174

Cost: $23.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Cococciola
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fantini
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw colour with a medium+ intense nose and full mousse.

A good alternative to Prosecco utilizing the Cococciola grape

Positives: This wine features lots of peach, pear & honeydew melon. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Notes:

  • Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for recommending this wine.
  • In collaboration with Swarovski, a Swarovski crystal is impeded in the label.

Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled cheese with pear & ham.

Tasted: 9 March 2014

Best Buy

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

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

WHISPERING TREE CHARDONNAY 2008, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

09 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Whispering Tree

Cost: $15.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mahluke Wine Company
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Not for the Chard purist, but I like it

Positives: This wine features oak, buttered popcorn, butterscotch, wakame, summer squash, apple crumble pie, lemon candy & malolactic fermentation. Full body with medium acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: Lacks fruit & crispness

Drink now on its own or pair it with Cornish hen & butternut squash.

Tasted: 9 March 2014

Best Buy

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

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

FREIXENET CORDON NEGRGO BRUT CAVA NV, Méthodo Tradicional, Spain

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cava

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Macabeo, Xarel-lo & Parellada
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Penedes
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Freixenet
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse.

A quality sparkling wine at bargain basement price

Positives: This wine features light yeast, green apple, grapefruit, almond butter, pear, peach, honeydew melon, lemon, green olives & limestone. Light to Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Grapes are hand picked and harvest starts in August with Macabeo and ends at the beginning of October with Parellada. Second fermentation takes place in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with hickory smoked peppered bacon.

Tasted: 2 March 2014

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 216945