Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

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+

MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES ZINFANDEL NV, California, United States

25 Saturday Jul 2015

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Magnotta Zin

Cost: $10.15
Grape Variety: 75% Zinfandel, 25% other red blends
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Well, this is impressive for $10!

Description: Medium bright ruby in colour with an intense perfume nose. This wine features violets, fresh carnations, lavender, ripe tamarind, plums, raisins, cloves, red and black raspberries, dark cherry and red currants. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting note: Don’t think I’ve had a quality Zin for $10 until now, plus only 13.5% alcohol? Double impressive!

Drink now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with sweet and spicy baby back ribs.

Tasted: 17 July 2015

Amazing Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

FEUDO DI SANTA CROCE, PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2011, DOP Puglia, Italy

12 Friday Jun 2015

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Feudo-Celebration-Primitivo

Cost: $24.00 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Primitivo di Manduria
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tinazzi
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Primitivo’s I’ve tasted; rich, balanced & smooth, but not overripe

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light cedar, fresh cut carnations, violets, raisins, plums, blueberries, raspberries and cloves. Full body with soft tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from the Tasting Room for suggesting this wine.

Interesting Note:  This is a quality wine showcased in a heavy and beautifully labeled bottle, and could easily pass for a wine double in price.

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with BBQ point cut smoked brisket.

Tasted: 11 June 2015

Top Pick & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

THE NED SAUVIGNON BLANC 2011, Waihopai River, Marlborough, New Zealand

11 Thursday Jun 2015

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The_Ned_Sauvignon_Blanc_web

Cost: $19.99 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: New Zealand
Region: Waihopai River, Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marisco Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich Sauv Blanc at a great price, truly delightful, this one can compete with the best

Description: Straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lime, passionfruit, kiwi, pink grapefruit, gooseberry, peach, seaweed and honeydew melon. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Check out their winemaker’s web site; http://www.thened.co.nz

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with seared pork loin in mint sauce.

Tasted: 11 June 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

CHARLES DE FÈRE CUVÉE JEAN-LOUIS BLANC DE BLANCS NV CHARMAT METHOD, France

10 Wednesday Jun 2015

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CF_CuveeJeanLouisBlancdeBlanc_Bottleshot_175_657

Cost: $18.99 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: 40% Chenin Blanc, 20% Ugni Blanc & 40% other
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles de Fère
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A sparkling wine made in a non AOC Charmat method that has similar styling to a vintage Champagne but at less than half it’s price; Impressive

Description: Deep straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This yeasty delight features toasted brioche, baked apples, white peach, apricot, lemon drops, Anjou pear, fennel and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Jerk Chicken Hash and Fried Eggs served with Callaloo, Breakfast Potatoes, Peppers and Onions.

Tasted: 10 June 2015

Best Buy

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

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

ESSER CHARDONNAY 2012, Monterey County, California, United States

08 Monday Jun 2015

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chardonnay-large

Cost: $18.99 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Esser
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Monterey County Chard for under $20

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon rind, pineapple, peach, oak spice, ginger, pink grapefruit, passion fruit and limestone. Medium+ body body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Slight bitterness on the finish

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pineapple Chicken with Ginger and Bok Choy.

Tasted: 8 June 2015

Best Buy

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

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

ESSER PINOT NOIR 2012, Monterey County, California, United States

07 Sunday Jun 2015

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pinot-noir-large

Cost: $20.99 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Esser
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Monterey County Pinot for under $25

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This smoky Pinot features light cedar, hickory, cherry, strawberry, thyme, pimento, cardamom, cranberry, beets, tobacco & cola. Medium to light body body with mild tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Texas style slow smoked brisket.

Tasted: 7 June 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE SHIRAZ 2013, Ontario, Canada

22 Friday May 2015

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l_srshiraz09

Cost: $13.10 (Sale until 18 May 2015: $11.70)
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, good flavours with a little spice

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, plums, cassis, anise and peppercorn. Medium body with medium to light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Unlike some of their other Special Reserve wines from Ontario, this one isn’t VQA. Styled in the French Syrah way rather than the Aussie Shiraz way.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with seared pork glazed with sweet and tangy plum sauce.

Tasted: 18 May 2015

Best Buy

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

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