Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES PINOT BLANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2015

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Magnotta Pinot Blanc

Cost: $9.15 (On sale April 2015, $8.45)
Grape Variety: Pinot Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

If you’re looking for something different in whites that’s Canadian, try this versatile crisp wine.

Description: Light gold in colour with a low intense nose. This wine features lemon rind, passion fruit, honeydew melon and grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Not too many 2013 left as 2014 is now on their shelves.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Orange, Walnut, Gorgonzola and Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette.

Tasted: 7 April 2015

Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA GRAN RESERVA MERITAGE 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

31 Tuesday Mar 2015

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

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Magnotta Meritage

Cost: $29.20
Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Wines
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 15.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Big, bold, beautiful & quality that’s rare in Ontario reds under $30

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, mulberry, dark cherry, raspberry, cassis, anise, cinnamon, cloves, Allspice, eucalyptus, nutmeg, turmeric and leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Recommended serving temperature is 12-16 C or 54-61 F

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Beef Tenderloin in Cherry Black Pepper Sauce.

Tasted: 28 March 2015

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

BARNETT VINEYARDS TINA MARIA VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2010, Green Valley, Russian River Valley, California, United States

23 Monday Mar 2015

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

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Barnett Tina Maria

Cost: $44.99
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Total Wines, Florida
Country: United States
Region: Green Valley, Russian River Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Barnett Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

There’s yummy and there’s YUMMY, this is the later. A good wine to have on a special occasion

Description: Light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, purple lilacs, sultana, dark cherry, pomegranates, raspberry, autumn leaves, bacon, pickled beets and cherry pipe tobacco. Full body with light tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of my favourites, if not the favourite Pinot Noir

Drink now or cellar it for another 7 years on its own or pair it with Rosemary roasted duck.

Tasted: 22 March 2015

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 19/20

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

TINAZZI VALDOBBIANDENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE BRUT NV, DOCG Valdobbiandene, Veneto, Italy

22 Sunday Mar 2015

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Tinazzi

Cost: $24.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Valdobbiadene, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Casa Vitivinicola Tinazzi
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but full flavoured Prosecco

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features lots of peach and pear followed by cantaloupe and green heirloom tomatoes. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with poached eggs on a bed of kale and tomatoes

Tasted: 22 March 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

SOLANTICO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2012, Doc, Puglia, Italy

21 Saturday Mar 2015

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PrimitivoSolanticoBottiglia72dpi-500x500

Cost: $18.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Primitivo
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Almadi
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A lighter style Primitivo that’s well balanced & juicy

Description: Bright deep ruby in colour with a medium intense. This wine features light cedar, ripe blackberry, raisins, plums, dark cherry, violets and peppers. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room for recommending this wine

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with mushroom, pepperoni & tomato pizza

Tasted: 18 March 2015

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

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

LUGANA 2014, DOC Veneto, Italy

21 Saturday Mar 2015

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Immagini 041

Cost: $18.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Trebbiano di Luganda (Turbiana)
Category: White Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Lake Garda, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Campagnola
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, refreshing & versatile wine

Description: Yellow straw in colour with a medium+ intense. This wine features lychee, gooseberry, pink grapefruit, Bartlett pear, Logan berry and limestone on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Interesting grape, interesting bottle, both of which I really like. Unique grape with notes that are a blend between Sauvignon Blanc & Viognier

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room for recommending this wine

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with German potato salad

Tasted: 19 March 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ALMADI BARDOLINO CHIARETTO ROSÉ 2013, DOCG Lake Garda, Bardolino Charetto, Veneto, Italy

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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

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rose

Cost: $16.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Corvina, Rondinella & Molinara
Category: Rosé Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Lake Garda, Bardolino Charetto, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Almadi
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Rosé tasted. Balanced, substance, versatile & just plain yummy

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense. This complex wine features the fragrant bouquet of cherry blossoms, with strawberry, tangerine, Spy apple, white cranberry and pineapple on the palette. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried this in several different wine glasses; all were slightly different and yet all very good.

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room for recommending this wine

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with chicken spicy Thai chicken soup

Tasted: 17 March 2015

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

JOSH PINOT NOIR 2013, California, United States

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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pinot

Cost: $19.99 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced, juicy & easy drinking that’s above average for a general Californian Pinot under $20

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense. This wine features dark cherry, strawberry, oak spice and chocolate. Medium+ body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Chill the wine to 15 C

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with corned beef brisket.

Tasted: 16 March 2015

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

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

ACROBAT PINOT NOIR 2012, Oregon, United States

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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Acrobat

Cost: $17.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Tortuga
Country: France
Region: Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: King Estates
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

This Pinot achieves an all too rare goal in this day and age, delivering a high quality, Oregon Pinot Noir at an affordable price

Description: Medium to light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense. This juicy wine features pine, cranberry, wild strawberry, rhubarb, autumn forest smells, cinnamon & cloves. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with slow smoked ham served with mango and braised sweet onion.

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: 11 March 2015

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

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

INAMA VIN SOAVE CLASSICO 2013, DOC Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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lab_Vin_Soave

Cost: $18.59 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Garganega
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Soave Classico, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inama
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Good balance of crispness and creaminess as a result of the malolactic fermentation

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense. This wine features peach, pear, apricot, elder flower, chalk and sweet almond on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with citrus and mango marinated conch.

Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for suggesting it

Best Buy

Tasted: 16 March 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4