Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

MYSTERIOUS DIGGINS PINOT NOIR 2012, Central Otago, New Zealand

30 Monday Jan 2017

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Cost: $23.99 (CI)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terra Sancta Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

The nose shows sweetness, yet the taste is balanced

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, dark cherry, plum, cloves, blueberry, smoke amber & violets on the taste and the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill to 15C.

Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Pork Chops with Garlic and Sage.

Tasted: 1 January 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

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

AU CONTRAIRE CHARDONNAY 2014,Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

30 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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au-contraire

Cost: $18.99 (CI)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Au Contraire Wines
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

An interesting RRV Chard, in that it tastes better a day later

Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose. This wine features medium to light oak, lemon, grapefruit, coconut custard pie, marzipan, apple, pear and brown sugar on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Overtly citric with too much brown sugar on the nose

Interesting Note: The taste was better a day later as the overtly citric flavours had been muted out.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Four-Cheese Perogies with herb-butter sauce.

Tasted: 1 January 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

ENROUTE LES POMMIERS PINOT NOIR 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

30 Monday Jan 2017

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

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btl-pn-lespommiers

Cost: $23.99 (CI)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Enroute Winery
Alcohol: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.

This is why I love RRV Pinot’s

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features pine, Bing cherry, boysenberry, plum, ripe tamarinds, cinnamon, cloves and smoked leaves & violets the nose. Medium+ body with mild tannin, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

My thanks to my sister-in-law; Tina for giving me this wine.

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill to 15C.

Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hens.

Tasted: 3 January 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

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

LES MARMITONS GASTRONOMY CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Jan 2017

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

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gastronomy-chard-1

Cost: $19.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Niagara Teaching Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I love finding unique treasures, especially in Canadian wines, and this wine is one of them

Description: Bright straw to gold to in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, Golden Delicious apples, pineapple, clementine, clove, butterscotch, honey & apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although this wine was aged sur lie in barrel oaks for 14 months and had malolactic fermentation, the wine tastes better in smaller Chablis style glass than the larger Montrachet larger glassware.

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Lemon Sole.

Tasted: 16 January 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CATTAIL CREEK PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Cattail Creek Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cattail Creek Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An aged Pinot Noir for Pinot aficionados

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features barnyard notes, strawberries, cherries, cranberries, cloves and smoky ambers on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Oven Baked Salmon served with Roasted Mushrooms and Herbs.

Tasted: 13 December 2016

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

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

CATTAIL CREEK ESTATE SERIES MERLOT 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Tuesday Dec 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cattail Creek Family Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A light, simple but pleasant Canadian Merlot

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, dark cherry, blueberry, plum and dark chocolate. Medium light body with medium tannin, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Grilled Pork Chops with Gingered Plum Sauce.

Tasted: 19 September 2016

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17+/10

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

KINGSTON ESTATE MERLOT 2014, Mt Benson and Clare Valley, Austalia

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

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kingston-merlot

Cost: Under $20 retail
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Bridges Food & Wine Restaurant, Sarnia
Country: Australia
Region: Mount Benson & Clare Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kingston Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy drinking, juicy wine that’s delicious

Description: Dark ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, cherry, plum, mulberry, blueberry, candy apple, vanilla and light oak spice. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a decent length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Braised Beef Short Ribs.

Tasted: 3 October 2016

Best buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

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

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

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

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12 BF Chard Pic

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced between citric, tropical fruit, acidity & oak

Description: Medium bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, apple, pineapple, Freestone peaches, oak spice, clove, dill and white flower on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Kate from the Teaching Winery for assisting me at the winery’s tasting area.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with pizza bianche with fior di latte, cherry tomatoes, arugula & prosciutto di Parma

Tasted: 20 August 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE BRUT 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

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

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balance brut

Cost: $23.15
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but pleasant sparkler

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features lemon/lime, white peach, green apples and light yeast on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with baked three cheddar cheese.

Tasted: 21 August 2016

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17+/20

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

KITTLING RIDGE LIMITED EDITION BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2012 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

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Kittling Chard

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta & Kittling Ridge Wineries
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A throw back to the 90s California Chards

Description: Old gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, toasted oak, butter oak, followed by pineapple, orange zest, papaya, Ylang Ylang & smoked oak on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Way too much oak and not enough fruit

Past it’s prime unless you like taking wood splints out of your mouth. However, if you were going to pair this wine then I would pair it with Linguine in Butter Sauce with Sweet and Spicy Shrimp.  

Tasted: 27 July 2016

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 Total: 15/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5