Category Archives: Best Buys

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

MAZZEI BELGUARDO VERMENTINO 2010, Toscana, Italy

09 Thursday Jan 2014

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

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Belguardo

Cost: $22.09 CI
Grape Variety: Vermentino
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Toscana
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mezzei
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Try this crisp & tart wine that’s different from your Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Grigio etc.

Positives: This wine features lemon, nectarines, lots of minerality, slight oxidation and orange rind on the finish. Light to medium body with high acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled calamari.

Interesting Point: Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s in recommending this wine.

Tasted: 7 January 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

KIRKLAND SIGNATURE SERIES, MOUNTAIN CUVÉE, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Napa Valley, California, United States

04 Saturday Jan 2014

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

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Kirkland Signature

Cost: $18.99
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Costco, Florida
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kirkland
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This wine is reminiscent of Christmas potpourri

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, nutmeg, cinnamon, cherry, black currents, blackberry, mulberry, Darjeeling tea, mocha, espresso, Christmas cake, roasted raspberry almonds, graphite & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: You can feel the 14.9% alcohol

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

Tasted: 4 January 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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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

MARQUIS DE LATOUR BRUT NV, Loire Valley, France

12 Thursday Dec 2013

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

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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

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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

VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2010, DOCG, Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Vino Nobile

Cost: $21.99 CI
Grape Variety: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Montepulciano, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cecchi
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

A full flavoured Sangiovese that won’t disappoint. Thank you to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for this recommendation.

Positives: The wine features mild oak, sour cherry, thyme, rosemary, leather & Shitake mushrooms. Medium body with high tannins & acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour before serving. LCBO had the 2009 this year, but all sold out, so hopefully the 2010 will be coming soon.

Drink now or over the next 7 years. This wine is meant for food, so pair it ground beef, thyme, tomato & shallot sauce over angel hair.

Tasted: 10 Dec 2013

Best Buy

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

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

THE CRUSHER VIOGNIER 2012, Clarksburg, California, United States

09 Monday Dec 2013

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

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the crusher

Cost: $21.99 CI ($16.95 LCBO)
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s
Country: United States
Region: Clarksburg, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Crusher Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

One of the truest Viognier outside Condrieu. Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands for this recommendation

Positives: This full flavoured wine features Anjou pear, kumquat, green & yellow apple, apricot, peach, ginger, pineapple, green mango, honeydew melon & coconut. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The up & coming appellation of Clarksburg is surrounded by the cooling waterway of the Sacramento River Delta providing a signature marine climate. The clay & loam soils are rich, fed by runoff from the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains, ensuring healthy fruit. Clarksburg encompasses 56,900 acres over an area 16 miles long & 8 miles wide. Warm summer days and cool nights typify the climate during the long, dry growing season.” (Crusher Winery)

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with spinach & raspberry vinaigrette.

Tasted: 9 Dec 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 361964

PENINSULA RIDGE BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Peninsula Ridge

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

My new favourite, everyday, easy drinking Chard that’s under $20

Positives: This isn’t a complex Chard, but what it offers is very pleasant. The wine features integrated oak, sweet corn, lemon candy, Macintosh apple, pear, peach & nutmeg. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The nose is better than the taste.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops.

Tasted: 1 Dec 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 211490

NOVAL TAWNY PORT, Douro, Portugal

28 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Fortified & Desert Wine

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Noval Port

Cost: $17.70 (Sale: $15.70 until 1 Dec 2013)
Grape Variety: Port variety
Category: Fortified Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Noval
Alcohol: 19.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A well balanced & smooth Tawny/port for under $20 that you can describe as either a lighter style port or a more red fruit tawny

Positives: This wine features dried figs, Christmas cake, maraschino cherry in dark chocolate, Kirsch and roasted almonds. Full body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or cellar it for 5 years and drink on its own or pair it with Chris De La Rosa’s, via Go Cooking, Guinness Ice Cream.

Tasted: 26 Nov 2013

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 309765

DEINHARD GREEN LABEL RIESLING 2012, Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany

28 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Green Labelä

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Germany
Region: Mosel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Deinhard
Alcohol: 10.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A smooth Riesling with kiss of sweetness.

Positives: This wine features green apples, pineapples, pink grapefruit, dill, peach, pears & light petrol on the nose. Medium minus body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Chris Des La Rosa, via Go Cooking, Caribbean stuffed Jerk Chicken.

Tasted: 26 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 8094