Category Archives: Best Buys

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

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

HUNGARIA GRAND CUVÉE BRUT NV, Traditional Method, Hungary

28 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Hungaria_Grande_Cuv_e_Kanada_web

Cost: $12.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Hungary
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hungaria Sparkling Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw with a light yellow in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse.

Originally tested Aug 2011 and still the best traditional method sparkling wine for under $13

Positives: This wine features green and yellow apples, lemon/lime, peach, pear and light yeast. Medium 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 De La Rosa’s, via Go Cooking, Caribbean coconut shrimp bisque.

Tasted: 26 Nov 2013

Amazing & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 619288

COTO DE IMAZ RESERVA 2005, Doc Rioja, Spain

25 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Coto

Cost: $20.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coto de Rioja
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

A true pleasure to drink and for just over $20.

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, sandalwood, dark cherry, cinnamon, cloves, coconut, vanilla, nutmeg and some leather.  Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I like the classic label.

Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Crusted Black Pepper and Cinnamon seared Pork Loin served with fried yucca drizzled with garlic butter.

Tasted: 18 Nov 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 23762