Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

JOSH PINOT NOIR 2013, California, United States

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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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

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

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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

ARMAND DE BRIGNAC (ACE OF SPADES) BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France

12 Thursday Mar 2015

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

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Armand

Cost: $260 Cayman Islands ($299.95 LCBO which is currently out of stock)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier & Chardonnay
Category: Champagne
Location Tortuga
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cattiers
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nothing but the best! Smooth as silk

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and very fine mousse. This complex Champagne features brioche, lemon pith, honeysuckle, toffee, sweet potatoes, butter cream, peach, kiwi, ginger, orange, limestone and smokey notes reminiscent of Oolong tea. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Made from 2003, 2005 & 2006 vintages

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Caviar

Tasted: 12 March 2015 (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!)

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

MAGNOTTA MOSCATO SUPERIORE CHARMAT METHOD NV, VQA, Ontario, Canada

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Moscato

Cost: $8.15
Grape Variety: Moscato
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I would put this Canadian Moscato against the best Italian ones any day

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse, which I found pleasantly surprising. This sparkling wine features a beautiful white flower and peach nose followed by sweet peach, orange, pink grapefruit and juicy Spy apple. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Not overly sweet, very pleasant

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with orange juice or peach juice to make some excellent Mimosas or Bellinis

Tasted: 1 March 2015

Amazing and Best Buy

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

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

RAVINE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

12 Monday Jan 2015

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

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No Unauthorized Reproduction @Jason Dziver

Cost: $24.00
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Canada
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ravine Vineyard
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Beyond the nose, this is a very nice, smooth Chard

Description: Light bright gold in colour with medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, green and yellow apples, papaya, pear, and light oak spice. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Acetic notes on the nose

Interesting Note: Works with both New and Old World style Chard glasses, but I give the edge to the New World, which gives it more creaminess.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own.  Pairs amazingly well with with green papaya chicken curry cooked over a wood stove.

Tasted: 6 Jan 2015

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

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

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION MERLOT 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Tuesday Dec 2014

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Magnota merlot

Cost: $20.15 (3 day special sale price until 29 Nov 2014: $15.15)
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice juicy quality Merlot from Niagara Peninsula & for $20

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plums, mulberry, black cherry, Allspice, nutmeg, cassis, mesquite and leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding.

Tasted: 28 Nov 2014

Best Buy

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

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

MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES MALBEC 2012, Argentina

16 Tuesday Dec 2014

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

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Magnota malbec

Cost: $8.70 (Sale price until 31 Dec 2014: $8.15)
Grape Variety: 70% Malbec, 20% red blend
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Argentina
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Light Malbec, not impressed

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features turn tamarinds, plums, mulberry and cloves. Medium body with light to medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: There’s a musty finish to it

Drink now on its own or pair it with Smoky Barbecued Chicken.

Tasted: 28 Nov 2014

Score: 7.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 2.5

SONO MONTENIDOLI 2006, IGT Tuscany, Italy

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Sono Montenidoli di Maria Elisabetta Fagiuoli

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Sono Montedoli

Cost: $16.00 Euros
Grape Variety: 100% Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location Winery
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sono Montenidoli
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

The true essence of Sangiovese and its terroir

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, sour cherry, bramble fruit, cloves, thyme, oregano, basil, spinach, espresso, cocoa, and leather. Medium+ body with high tannins and acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Decant for a minimum of an hour

Winemaker; Elisabetta Fagiuoli started a non-profit foundation, Sergio Il Patriarca Onlus, that helps troubled children and elderly people in need. Please visit both the winemaker’s website: www.montenidoli.com, and her foundation; http://www.sergiothepatriarch.org

Drink now or in the next 20 years on its own or pair it with pappardelle in tomato sauce

Tasted: 10 Dec 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

IL TEMPLARE MONTENIDOLI 2009, IGT Toscana, Italy

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Sono Montenidoli di Maria Elisabetta Fagiuoli, White Wines

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Montenidol

Cost: $9.70 Euros
Grape Variety: 70% Vernaccia, 20% Trebbiano Gentile, 10% Malvasia Bianca
Category: White Wine
Location Winery
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sono Montenidoli
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Versatile, diverse, interesting, complex and yes yummy

Description: Deep old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This slightly oxidative wine features Lily on the nose followed by lemon tarts, honey, ginger, orange and guava. Medium+ body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried every white wine glass and the results were the same, delicious.

Winemaker; Elisabetta Fagiuoli started a non-profit foundation, Sergio Il Patriarca Onlus, that helps troubled children and elderly people in need. Please visit both the winemaker’s website: www.montenidoli.com, and her foundation; http://www.sergiothepatriarch.org

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with goat cheese, avocado salad

Tasted: 8 Dec 2014

Best Buy and Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5