Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Saturday May 2015

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Cab and Franc

Cost: $14.15 (Sale: $13.15 until 18 May 2105)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Consistently a good quality Cab Franc for under $15

Positives: This wine features cedar, blackberry, raspberry, grilled green peppers, white pepper, Kalamata olives, dark chocolate, mocha and tomato leaf. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This vintage is slightly better than the previous 2011 vintage, that I reviewed last year so I up it to be an Amazing Value.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or and pair it with lamb chops glazed with spicy tomato leaf infused mint sauce.

Tasted: 14 May 2015

Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA GRAN RISERVA MERITAGE 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday May 2015

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Magnotta Meritage

Cost: $29.20 (Sale $19.20 May 8-17, 2015)
Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Wines
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Extremely pleasant & an elegant wine to bring to a dinner party

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, dark cherry, cassis, turmeric, Allspice, oregano and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I have tried the 2010 vintage at Magnotta tastings many times and I wasn’t too impressed as it felt light in taste especially compared to the 2009, which I really liked and reviewed on my site. However, at the sales price, I said what the heck, and was pleasantly surprised when I used the proper wine glass and slightly chilled.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pork Tenderloin with a cassis and soy sauce reduction.

Tasted: 8 May 2015

Best Buy at sale price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE OTTONEL MEDIUM DRY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2015

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Muscat

Cost: $12.15
Grape Variety: Muscat Ottonel
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 12.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Unique to Canadian wines, this Muscat Ottonel delivers tropical sweetness with a nice refreshing finish.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features ylang ylang flowers on the nose followed by peach, mangos, honeydew melon, sweet apples, cantaloupe followed by pink grapefruit on the finish. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Matthew from Magnotta’s Vaughan store for recommending his favourite white wine by the company.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own as an aperitif or digestif.

Tasted: 7 April 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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

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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