Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

MENGER-KRUG ROSÉ BRUT NV, Rheinhessen, Germany

11 Monday Jan 2016

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menger-krug-rose-sekt-brut-pfalz-germany-10000679

Cost: $28.50 (Cayman Dollars)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Tortuga Fine Wines & Spirits
Country: Germany
Region: Rheinhessen
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Menger-Krug
Alcohol: U/K% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting Sekt, not a traditional rosé sparkling wine

Description: Light copper in colour with a medium nose. This wine features yeast, strawberry, apricot, passion fruit, orange candy slices and coconut on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Note: Slightly oxidized, but unsure if it’s the bottle or the style

Interesting: Fermented in the bottle

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with spicy tomato omelette.

Tasted: 11 January 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

MAGNOTTA 25th ANNIVERSARY RIESLING SPARKLING WINE 2014, Extra Dry, Charmat Method, VQA, Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Dec 2015

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

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Magnotta Riesling Sparkling

Cost: $25.20 (Sale price December 2015 $15.20)
Grape: Riesling
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a complex sparkler, but nice & pleasant that comes in a pretty bottle

Description: Light yellow straw in colour with a medium nose and a fine mousse. This sparkling wine features lemon drops, clementine, honey and Ylang Ylang on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of the best Riesling Sparkling wines that I’ve tried. There’s a subtle undertone of Riesling Ice Wine

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Sticky, Crispy Honey Ginger Chicken Wings.

Tasted: 20 Dec 2015

Best Buy at sale price

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

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

PRIMAL ROOTS RED BLEND 2011, California, United States

13 Sunday Dec 2015

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Primal Roots

Cost: $13.99 Cayman Islands
Grape: 49% Merlot, 42% Syrah, 9% Zinfandel
Category: Red Wine
Location Tortuga
Country: California
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Primal Roots Wnery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Although on the sweeter side it’s well integrated and balanced

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, Black Forest Cake, plum, cherry, mocha and vanilla. Full body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: First time I can actually enjoy an entry style California Cab that’s on the sweeter style

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Peppered Beef Tenderloin with Merlot Shallot Sauce.

Tasted: 5 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

CHURCH and STATE MERLOT 2011, VQA Okanagan Valley, Sun Ridge Vineyard, British Columbia, Canada

02 Monday Nov 2015

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church

Cost: $19.90
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location British Columbia
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, Sun Ridge Vineyard
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Church & State Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but it’s juicy, well-balanced & delicious

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, ripe tamarind and spinach. Medium+ body with some green tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Not in LCBO

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Braised Short Ribs.

Tasted: 29 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION SHIRAZ 2103, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Oct 2015

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Cost: $18.15 (Sale price until 31 Oct 2015: $14.15)
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid well balanced Canadian Rhône style wine

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, violets, black & white peppers, plums, loganberry and sage. Medium+ body with soft tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Naming the wine Shiraz instead of Syrah

Interesting Points: I just loved the 2010 vintage (reviewed on this site) and the 2013 vintage, although still young, follows closely behind. Big difference is that this vintage maybe smoother than the 2010, but not as complex.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Fig Skewers.

Tasted: 22 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE PINOT GRIS 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

01 Thursday Oct 2015

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Pinot Gris

Cost: $12.10
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Pinot Gris with substance

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features green and red apples, lemon, grapefruit, guava and a hint of honey. Medium body and with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Alsace style

Drink now on its own or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Ginger Pork served with Kimchi.

Tasted: 22 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

01 Thursday Oct 2015

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Sauvignon Blanc

Cost: $14.10
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Canadian Sauvignon Blanc: Elegance, substance & taste

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features Jasmine, light gooseberry, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, lychee, tangerine and kiwi. Medium body and with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Alsace style

*In Support of…* Magnotta Winery is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this wine to the G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases to establish Canada’s first research centre for vector-borne illnesses including Lyme Disease.

Drink now on its own or in the next 5 years.  This wine can easily be paired with a vast variety of foods but when enjoyed with a simple item like green olives it elevates this wine to a silky complex experience on the palete.

Tasted: 22 Sept 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Friday Aug 2015

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Magnotta Pinot

Cost: $20.05
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, funky & earthy styled Pinot. One of the best Canadian Pinot’s for $20 & under

Description: Medium minus garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features a barnyard nose in addition to aromas and flavours of pine, violets, dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, licorice, forest earth and smoked charcoal. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I wasn’t impressed with this wine at the winery tasting, but figured that may be due to the small tasting glass and the wine being at room temperature. I figured right as in a proper glass and slightly chilled, this Pinot is beautiful.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Venison with rosemary.

Tasted: 11 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY 2012, California, United States

02 Sunday Aug 2015

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l_calchard11

Cost: $9.15 (Sale $8.15 Until 3 Aug 2015)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Winery
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Here’s an inexpensive California Chard that has substance, not oaked & with a beautiful nose

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features jasmine on the nose, grapefruit, pear, green apple and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with snapper ceviche.

Tasted: 1 Aug 2015

Best Buy

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

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

RAVINE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Sunday Aug 2015

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

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Cabernet-Franc-300x448

Cost: $35.00
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ravine Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Ontario Cab Franc for a moderate price

Description: Medium to light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, dark and sour cherry, plum, ripe red currants, raspberry, blueberry, Allspice, rosemary, tobacco leaves, white peppers, roasted red peppers and forest greens. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established winery making sparkling wine since 1877. Nice bottle to impress dinner guest.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Mushroom and Rosemary Risotto.

Tasted: 31 July 2015

Top Pick

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

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