Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

VERGELEGEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa

08 Saturday Apr 2023

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

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Cost: $20.99 KY (April 2023 sale: $13.99)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 62%, Merlot 22%, Cabernet Franc 14%, Malbec 2%
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vergelegen Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex Bordeaux style wine from South Africa at a great price. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, chalky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mulberry, cherry, blueberry, blackcurrant, cassis, pencil shavings, cedar, tobacco leaves, coffee & Freesia on the nose.

Negatives: None

VINIFICATION: “At Vergelegen the grapes are handpicked followed by storage in a refrigerated container at -10°C for 24 hours. The cool grapes (8-10°C) are then carefully sorted on combinations of vibrating tables and slow movingconveyors, where between 1,5-3 tons are sorted per hour. The grapes are de-stemmed but not crushed and the grapes/must cold soaked for 7 days followed by a feral fermentation lasting 96 hours. Eventually, cultured yeast is addedand the juice fermented dry. The young red wine is now macerated on the skins for a further 32 days before going to barrel. The wine was bottled on 17 December 2019.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 -7 years on its own or pair it with baby back ribs

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 6, 2023

JORDAN CHARDONNAY 2017, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

03 Monday Apr 2023

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $38.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Jordan Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical heavy style Cali Chard with high alcohol, but styled like Pouilly-Fuissé, elegant & full of charm. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lemon peel, green apples, white peach, quince, pear, pineapple, and honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Fermentation: “Clusters destemmed and gently pressed at night to extract freshness and acidity while avoiding astringent phenolic character from the skins. Inoculated and fermented 13 days in 61% new French oak barrels and 39% in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation limited to only 27% to ensure that aromas were not masked by a buttery component. Aged 6 months in 100% French Oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 -7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chilean Sea Bass with a Lemon Parmesan Cream.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Apil 1, 2023

PEDRONCELLI PINOT NOIR 2021, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, United States of America

01 Saturday Apr 2023

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $25.99 KY
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pedroncelli
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir with sweet fruits & spice. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Red cherry, plum, strawberry, pomegranate, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla and Kirsch on the nose.

Negatives: The heat from alcohol of 14.2%

Interesting Point: Slightly chill

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with turtle stew.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 31, 2023

PEDRONCELLI MERLOT 2019, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

31 Friday Mar 2023

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Cost: $23.99 KY
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States of America
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pedroncelli
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich, juicy Merlot with some spiciness. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, crème de cassis, raspberry, plum, black tea, mocha, Star Anise, cloves, oak spice, tobacco, vanilla, leather & arugula.

Negatives: The heat from the high alcohol of 14.5%

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with ribeye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 30, 2023

RICKETY BRIDGE CHARDONNAY 2020, Franschhoek, South Africa

27 Monday Mar 2023

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

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Cost: $20.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rickety Bridge Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice balance of oak, fruit, acidity & spice. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, peach, pear, light caramel, honey, light oak spice & orange blossoms on the nose.

Negatives: None

WINE MAKING: “This wine was fermented in 500l French oak barrels and Austrian foudres. (10% new and 90% older) The must was fermented at 14° – 17° C and lees was stirred up daily. The wine was matured for 10 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with seared shrimp in garlic butter sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 27, 2023

RICKETY RIDGE BRUT ROSÉ, NV, Méthode Cap Classique, Franschhoek, South Africa

26 Sunday Mar 2023

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $34.00 KY
Grape: 53% Pinot Noir, 47% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Jacques Scott
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rickety Bridge Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive brut rosé with a distinctive taste. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Kumquat, Marmite, brioche, raspberry, apricot & white peach

Negatives: None

WINE MAKING: “Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. The must was fermented between 14 – 17˚C and the lees was stirred up daily for three months and then twice every week for three months thereafter. The wine spent 18 months on the lees during and after second fermentation before it was disgorged.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Sunday brunch.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 26, 2023

LUNDY MANOR WINE CELLARS MERITAGE 2016, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: 40% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, 17.5% Cabernet Franc, 17.5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, complex & elegant. This high-quality Canadian red at a great price as other wineries are charging twice the amount. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, plum, Crème de Cassis, pencil shavings, .

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Wine spent 2 years in French Oak. Love the classic bottle.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with a juicy tenderloin grilled steak with roasted orange & red peppers.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 9, 2023

ZENATO SOAVE CLASSICO COLOMBRA 2021, DOC Soave, Veneto, Italy

08 Wednesday Mar 2023

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

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Cost: $17.99 KY (March 2023 sale: $12.99 KY)
Grape: 70% Garganega, 30% Trebbiano
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Soave, Veneto
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Zenato
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the best Soave’s I’ve had tasted as it has a lot of complexity. Clean & crisp with a beautiful white flower nose. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon-lime, lemon meringue, green apples, pear, honeydew melon, white peace, limestone & elderflower on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years, on its own or pair it with Focaccia

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the sale price

Tasted: March 4, 2023

MON FRÈRE CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

03 Friday Mar 2023

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $18.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mon Frère Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

I’m not a fan of over ripe bananas so getting past that, this wine isn’t that bad. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with average acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon custard, fried pineapple, orange, ripped banana, melted buttered popcorn & ripped banana on the nose.

Negatives: Over ripped bananas on the nose and taste.

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years, on its own or pair it with Jerk Chicken

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: March 2, 2023

ARIENZO DE MARQUES DE RISCAL RIOJA 2016 CRIANZA, DO CA Rioja, Spain

02 Thursday Mar 2023

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

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Cost: $16.99 KY
Grape: 95% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Herederos del Marqués de Riscal
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja Crianza with nice fruits & spices all at a good price point. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, pomegranate, strawberry, raspberry, peppercorn, nutmeg, cloves, coconut, vanilla & sandalwood on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 18 months aged in American oak barrels followed more aging in the bottle.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years, on its own or pair it with Paella.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 1, 2023