Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced showing citric fruit & spiciness. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Light yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pineapple, peach, apples, pear, caramel, vanilla, oak spice

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 2020 was a great vintage year for Ontario wines.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with snow crab lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 16 & August 21, 2022

LUNDY MANOR WINE CELLARS PROPRIETOR’S RED 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Friday Jan 2023

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: 51.4% Cab Franc, 27.7% Merlot, 14.5% Syrah, 6.3% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Tied for best Canadian red wine with Lundy Manor’s 2016 Red. Drinking like a nicely aged Bordeaux. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, dried cranberries, raspberry, blueberry, plum, baby spinach, white & black pepper & shale.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 18 months in French oak.

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with Slow Cooker Beef Cheeks in Red Wine.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: January 9, 2023

LCBO: 20188

MON FRÈRE PINOT NOIR 2018, California, United States of America

07 Saturday Jan 2023

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

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Cost: $ 21.99 KYD
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mon Frère
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

I love it when I get impressed by a California Pinot that’s not high in alcohol, not made in the commercial & it’s under $25. This Pinot is made more like in the Willamette Valley style, & it is elegant, bright & well made. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, some plum, rhubarb, clove & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: ‘A blend of Sonoma Coast vineyards, Santa Rita Hills Vineyards in Santa Barbara and Santa Lucia Highlands and Vineyards in Monterey. A full spectrum of Pinot Noir clones are represented in this wine.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with roasted duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: January 5, 2023

CHÂTEAU FUISSÉ 2017: LES BRÛLÉS 1er Cru vs TÊTE DE CUVÉE, France

03 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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A special 2022, New Year’s tastings comparing Château-Fuissé 2017 vintages of “Les Brûlés” Château-Fuissé and Château-Fuissé Tête de Cuvée.

On a blind tasting these were my observations:

  • Visually – I was correct in selecting Les Brulés based on the deeper gold colour.
  • Aroma – I was correct in selecting Les Brulés as it was more intense.
  • Alcohol Level – I was correct in choosing Les Brulés as the higher content.
  • Taste – I went against my instinct and went to what I preferred, and I was wrong. I had chosen the Cuvée as being the more expensive wine as it had more finesse, and the Les Brulés was very much oak driven. On the winery’s website, Les Brulés’ vinification is in new oak barrels vs the Cuvée is 60% oak barrels & 40% is in vats.
  • Lesson – Go on your instincts.

Les Brûlés: Score 90/100

$63 KYD, Bought at Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands

Deep gold in colour, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin and long length. Taste: Lemon drops, pineapple, Jonagold apples, ginger, oak spice & crushed stone.

Tête de Cuvée: Score 92/100

$45 KYD Bought at Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands

Gold in colour, medium intense nose and long length. Taste: Lemon, Jonagold apples, honeydew melon, pineapple, ginger, dill, oak spice & limestone.

CAPE LANDING ROSÉ, 2021, Margaret River, Australia

31 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $ 24.99 KYD
Grape: Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cape Landing
Alcohol: 12.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A unique 100% Syrah rosé made in Australia. Not complex but it’s light, bright & very pleasant to drink on its own or with food. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, Rainier Cherries, hint of cranberry, thyme & wet stone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: First Australian winery that I have come across that describe the grape used as Syrah vs Shiraz.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with summer fresh gazpacho.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 31, 2022

DECOY BRUT CUVÉE SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Champenoise, United States of America

27 Tuesday Dec 2022

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

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Cost: $28.99 KYD
Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Decoy
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Traditional Champagne grapes & traditionally made. Great taste, that’s easy to drink, especially when it’s almost ice cold & at half the price of the lowest priced Champagne wines. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw to light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, pear, white peach, lemon zest, green apples & limestone stone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Dosage with French oak barrel fermented Napa Valley Chardonnay.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with tuna tartare.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 26, 2022

BILLECART SALMON BRUT RÉSERVE NV, AOC Champagne, France

25 Sunday Dec 2022

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

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Cost: $71.0 KYD (December 2022 sale: $50.99 KYD)
Grape: 40% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
Category: Champagne
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Montagne de Reims & Grande Vallée de la Marne
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bellecart-Salmon
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A Christmas treat. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Rich gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, brioche, Anjou pear, peach, lemon, green apples, salted almonds, thyme & wet stone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vinification in stainless steel tanks, 50% to 60% reserve wines, ageing on lees: 30 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with crab spiced with ginger and a creamy courgette sauce which is topped with Daurenki caviar.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 25, 2022

FROG’S LEAP CHARDONNAY “SHALE AND STONE” 2018, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

25 Sunday Dec 2022

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

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Cost: $31.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Frog’s Leap
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Somewhat over ripped. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Orange pith, grapefruit, marzipan, golden apples, white cherry & shale.

Negatives: Too over ripped for me.

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with scampi

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted December 24, 2022

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

19 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of NC best dry sparkling wines they’ve made, which is delicious, elegant, clean & crisp. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw to light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, sourdough bread, lemon rind, green apples, pear, white peach,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 4 years on lees.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Norwegian eggs Benedict.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 18, 2022

STREWN TERROIR CHARDONNAY FRENCH OAK 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $32.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Just like to reiterate my previous review on Strewn’s Terroir Chards that I am so thankful that they are now under 14%. This French Oak Chard has style similar to Meursault & beautiful made. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium to medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, Jonagold apples, peach, ripe pear, kumquat, brioche, grilled pineapple, almond butter, honey, oak spice, ginger, dill, butterscotch & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Barrel fermented with malolactic fermentation in new and seasoned French oak barrels. Left on lees for 11 months in oak with bâttonage as desired.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 -7 years on its own or pair it with Limburger cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 25, 2022