Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

STARMONT CHARDONNAY 2014, Carneros, Napa Valley, United States

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Starmont

Cost: $28.15 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Starmont Winery & Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Carneros Chard at a good price

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features lightly toasted oak, lemon, green apples, caramel, dill, ginger, wakame salad, vanilla and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with crisp acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note:

  • Screw top
  • Solar-powered, sustainably farmed and Napa Green Certified
  • To enjoy the full flavours of this wine, don’t over chill it

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with salmon sashimi

Tasted: 10 March 2016

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

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

CRAGGY RANGE TE KAHU GIMBLETS 2011, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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10_cr_redb1

Cost: $30.50 US
Grape: 69% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Craggy Range
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting in a good way

Description: Bright deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, dark cherry, raspberry, plum, tamarind, blackcurrant, cherry-cola, sage, thyme and leather. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Te Kahu means “The cloak in the Te Reo Maori and refers to the mist that envelops their giants winery in the Tuki Tuki Valley. Legend has it this mist protected a mythical Maori maiden from the sun as she visited her lover Te Mata.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Pit Roasted Picanha.

Tasted: 12 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CHÂTEAU LA COURANÇONNE SEGURET ROSÉ “La Fiole du Chevalier d’Elbène”2014, AOC Côtes du Rhône, France

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Seguret

Cost: $24.40 US ($20 CI)
Grape: 50% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Côtes du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château La Courançonne
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, smooth, juicy & delicious

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features watermelon, pink grapefruit, strawberry, raspberry, tangerine and cherry blossom on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine

Interesting Note: This vintage is superior to the 2012 vintage reviewed by me in 2014.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto & basil roll

Tasted: 15 March 2016

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

CASTRA RUBRA RED 2009, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Castra Rubra-500x500

Cost: $37 US
Grape: 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Bulgaria
Region: Thracian Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castra Rubra Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality wine from Bulgaria that is worth the premier price

Description: Medium deep bright ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, espresso, peat moss, leather, eucalyptus, oregano, cola, Crimini mushrooms and arugula. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine

Interesting Note: Wine is made from hand-picked grapes.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Coffee Rubbed Boston Butt Pulled Pork.

Tasted: 14 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

TOLAINI PICCONERO TENUTA MONTOBELLO 2009, IGT Tuscany, Italy

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

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

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tolaini-picconero-tenuta-montebello-toscana-igt-tuscany-italy-10556535

Cost: $110 US
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Toscana
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tolaini
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This Merlot dominant wine is impressive now but should be delivering the wow factor in 3 to 5 yrs

Description: Deep bright ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, tobacco leaf, leather, sage, oregano, fennel, white & black pepper, boysenberry and spinach. Medium+ body with high tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine

Interesting Note: Decant for an hour or double decant if you don’t have the time.

Drink now or in the next 10-15 years on its own or pair it with Braised Beef (marinated in Barolo wine and spices).

Tasted: 14 March 2016

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5/20

Top Pick

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

MAGNOTTA GRAN RISERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, International & Canada

21 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Magnotta Cab

Cost: $29.20 (Sale until 29 Feb 2016: $19.20)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: International & Canada
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Black currants dominate this wine a little too much

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, lots of blackcurrant, plums, mulberry, cassis and nutmeg. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a fairly long length.

Negatives: One dimensional

Interesting Note: Over priced, even at the sales price

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Bacon and Blue Cheese Burgers.

Tasted: 13 February 2016

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7.5/10 (Sale price: 8+/10) Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES PINOTAGE 2011, SOUTH AFRICA

13 Saturday Feb 2016

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

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Pinotage

Cost: $9.70(Sale until 29 Feb 2016: $8.10)
Grape: Pinotage
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive wine, reminds me of on open fire on the beach

Description: Deep ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features heavy smoked notes, blackberry, blackcurrant, dark cherry, cloves, nutmeg, peppercorn, white & red peppers, coffee, cigar box and tobacco leaves. Medium+ body with low tannins tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use same glass ware as Pinot Noir

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Smoked Chorizo Sausage Casserole.

Tasted: 10 February 2016

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale price: 10/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN PINOT GRIS 2010, East Coast, New Zealand

13 Wednesday Jan 2016

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Villa Maria Pinot Gris

Cost: $18.59 (Cayman Dollars)
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman
Country: New Zealand
Region: East Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Maria
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, creamy & delicious

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ nose. This wine features honeysuckle, wakame, dragon fruit, lemon zest, yellow apple and Anjou pear. Medium+ body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try this New Zealand Pinot Gris instead of Sauvignon Blanc, you won’t be disappointed

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Poached Flounder in Orange Lemon Sauce.

Tasted: 13 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MENGER-KRUG ROSÉ BRUT NV, Rheinhessen, Germany

11 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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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+