Cost: $34.99 Cayman
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Serene
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Makes me nostalgic for Christmas.

Positives: This wine features pine, cranberry, cherry, strawberry, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and tobacco leaf. Medium body with soft tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding.

Tasted: 26 May 2014

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

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

Cost: $18.00 Cayman
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: The Tasting Room, Grand Cayman
Country: Italy
Region: Pavia, Lombardy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antica Vite
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Easy drinking but doesn’t have Pinot Noir characteristics

Positives: This simple wine features plums, cherry, thyme and chocolate. Medium body with soft tannins, good acidity & an average length.

Negatives: Over priced, should be under $9

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ chips.

Tasted: 27 May 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10, Total: 15.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

Cost: $29.00 Cayman
Grape Variety: 45% Corvinone 30% Corvina, 20% Rondinella 5% Molinara
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: The Tasting Room, Grand Cayman
Country: Italy
Region: Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Almadi
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A good wine, just wish it was in the under $25 category

Positives: This wine features plums, raisins, dark cherry, sage, dates, fennel, coffee and leather. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room for recommending this wine and the delicious aged steaks.

Drink now or in the next 5 years and pair it with BBQ aged steak seasoned with traditional italian spice rub from Vincenta’s deli.

Tasted: 26 May 2014

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

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

Cost: $36.99 Cayman (sale price May 2014: $23.99)
Grape Variety: 53% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott
Country: France
Region: Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Haut-Beausèphe
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A good wine to open up at a dinner party in which you like the people

Positives: This wine features beautiful smoked red and black fruits on nose. The nose and taste has cedar, blackberry, plums, dark cherry, raspberry, mocha, spinach, Medium+ body with green tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Interesting Point: Being a left bank Bordeaux but having more Merlot than Cab in its blend.

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

Tasted: 24 May 2014

Best Buy at sale price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Cost: $38.00 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: The Tasting Room, Grand Cayman
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tenuta Dei Sette Cieli
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Beautiful ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

An elegant easy drinking wine

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, pine, Christmas cake, cassis, cloves, vanilla, cranberry, turmeric, spearmint & spinach on the finish. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Reminds me of a well-made Napa Cab. Good value for the money.

Thank you Mario, from The Tasting Room, for recommending this wine.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops with mint-mascarpone pesto.

Tasted: 21 April 2014

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

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