Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

JOEL GOTT CHARDONNAY 2012, Monterey County, Sonoma County, Napa Valley: California, United States

08 Monday Dec 2014

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Joel Gott

Cost: $17.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County, Sonoma County, Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Joel Gott
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best California Chards made in the Chablis style for under $20

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lemon, kiwi, cloves, East Indian mango, honeydew melon and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: 100% stainless steel and no malolactic fermentation

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

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

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

ANTECH HÉRITAGE CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX BRUT MILLÉSIMÉ 2011, Limoux, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

07 Sunday Dec 2014

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Antech

Cost: $25.95 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: 60% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin, 10% Mauzac, 10% Pinot
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antech Limoux
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking sparkling that is very well balanced

Description: Straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This sparkling wine features lemon, pink grapefruit, ginger and honeydew melon. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: If you like Ginger Ale, you should like this

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with maple smoked bacon.

Tasted: 7 Dec 2014

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

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

PAHLMEYER JAYSON PINOT NOIR 2005, Sonoma County, California, United States

06 Saturday Dec 2014

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

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jayson Pinot

Cost: $78.55 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pahlmeyer
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth elegance

Description: Cloudy medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features ripe sea grapes on the nose with strawberry tarts, bramble fruit, rhubarb, bergamot, smoked bacon, roasted fennel, black cherry, toffee and Brazilian coffee on the finish. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity, the alcohol is well integrated and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for suggesting this wine to my sister-in-law to give to me as my birthday present.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with mushroom and speck brick oven pizza.

Tasted: 5 Dec 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

MAGNOTTA CARMENÈRE INTERNATIONAL SERIES 2012, Chile

23 Sunday Nov 2014

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Carmeniere

Cost: $8.95 (Sale price Nov 2014: $8.15)
Grape Variety: Carmenère
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A very pleasant and easy drinking wine

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, plum, licorice and Allspice. Medium to medium+ body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with beef stew

Tasted: 16 Nov 2014

Best Buy

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

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

BRUT EXCELLENCE DE CHANCENY VOUVRAY 2011, Méthode Traditionnelle, Ac Vouvray, France

19 Friday Sep 2014

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Brut Excellence

Cost: $25.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s
Country: France
Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: De Chanceny
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking sparkling wine that I would love to drink on a regular basis

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This creamy and smooth sparkling wine features peaches, lemon lime, tangerines, candied fruit and macadamia nuts on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I love the shape of the bottle

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Red Snapper Thai Ceviche

Tasted: 19 Sept 2014

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

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

MAGNOTTA CRACKLING GAMAY ROSÉ NV, Charmat Method, VQA, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Sep 2014

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

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Magnotta Gamay

Cost: $10.15 (Sale price September 2014: $8.15)
Grape Variety: Gamay Noir
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 11.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An off dry spritzer that’s a really nice wine to bring to a party

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a low intense nose and creamy mousse. The simple but flavourful wine features strawberry and cherry. Medium+ body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Cayman Style Ceviche (Fresh Snapper, Vinegar, Lime Juice, Tomato, Red Onion, Cilantro & Scotch Bonnet)

Tasted: 11 Sept 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 SPECIAL RESERVE DRY GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2010, VQA, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Sep 2014

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Magnotta Gewurtz

Cost: $14.15 (Sale price September 2014: $12.15)
Grape Variety: Gewürztraminer
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An impressive Gewürz from Niagara Peninsula

Description: Deep gold in colour with a highly intense nose. The wine features lychee, granny smith apples and lemon meringue pie. Full body with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Gary Parker’s Pad Thai

Tasted: 8 Sept 2014

Best Buy (Amazing Buy at the sale price)

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 EQUIUS SERIES GAMAY NOIR 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

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Magnotta Gamay Noir

Cost: $10.15 ($9.15 on sale for September 2014)
Grape Variety: Gamay
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beaujolais Nouveau? Bah humbug. Try this Gamay, you won’t regret it

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This may not be a complex wine, but it full flavoured. The wine features cherry, rhubarb, smoked wood and a mild bubble gum finish. Medium to light body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill it like a Pinot to 15 degrees

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with roast beef in cherry balsamic sauce.

Tasted: 6 Sept 2014

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

MAGNOTTA’S MERLOT 2011, Chile

09 Tuesday Sep 2014

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Magnotta Chile Merlot

Cost: $8.95 ($7.97 on sale for September 2014)
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive wine for under $9, and even more so when it’s on sale. Smooth, juicy, full flavoured with dark fruits

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, licorice, star anise and eucalyptus. Medium+ body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 13.5% alcohol, which makes me thinks its more

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops

Tasted: 5 Sept 2014

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

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

CLOSSON CHASE VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2008, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

24 Sunday Aug 2014

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

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Closson Chase

Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Closson Chase Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Closson Chase
Alcohol: 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

I throw down a challenge to find any Californian high end Chard that is as good as this and with only 12.6% alcohol and under $35

Description: Old gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, butter, crème brulee, toasted marshmallows, lemon tart, tangerines, pink grapefruit, dill, ginger, roasted almonds, Anjou pear and apple crumble pie. Full body with good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: The wine is on its last leg as it’s gone from fruity and mineral to tertiary notes, but still so good.

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with grilled maple ginger pork chops.

Tasted: 22 Aug 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5