Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

PENINSULA RIDGE WINERY ARCANUM 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Sunday Jan 2014

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

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Arcanum

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Syrah, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Peninsula Ridge Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Autumn leaves burning on an open fire

Positives: This wine features cedar, cherry cola, raspberry, red currants, hickory, bacon, dark chocolate, espresso, grilled red peppers, arugula, prosciutto & purple lilacs on the nose. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with pizza topped with prosciutto and arugula.

Interesting Point: Reminds me of a good Baco Noir

Tasted: 17 January 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

BENI DI BATASIOLO BAROLO RISERVA 2004, DOCG Piedmont, Barolo, Italy

26 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Batasiolo

Cost: $42.59
Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Barolo, Piedmont
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beni Di Batasiolo
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby with garnet overtones in colour and a medium intense nose.

An expensive wine to pair with pizza, but oh so worth it.

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, sour cherry, thyme, oregano, anise, red currants, pomegranate, leather, dried cranberry, tobacco & blood orange on the finish. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with New York style pizza.

Interesting Point: Thanks to Roberto for recommending this

Tasted: 26 January 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

RIONDO SPAGO NERO PROSECCO NV, DOC Veneto, Italy

10 Friday Jan 2014

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

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prosecco-spago-nero-shadowed

Cost: $9.99 US
Grape Variety: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Total Wines & Costco, Florida
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Riondo
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Can’t beat the price with the quality that you get

Positives: This wine features pear, peach, coconut, key lime, & white blossoms on the nose. Light to medium body with medium good acidity & an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with creamy butternut squash soup.

Tasted: 10 January 2014

Amazing Buy & Top Pick

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ATALON MERLOT 2004, Napa Valley, California, United States

10 Friday Jan 2014

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

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Atalon

Cost: $26.59 CI
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Atalon
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A nice juicy, complex but easy drinking Merlot. One of my favourites.

Positives: This wine features cedar, dark cherry, blackberry, blueberry, figs, Moroccan spices, espresso, artichoke & some cigar box notes. Medium to full body with round tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with roasted rack of lamb & mint sauce.

Interesting Point: Almost 10 years old and still going strong.

Tasted: 9 January 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

MAZZEI BELGUARDO VERMENTINO 2010, Toscana, Italy

09 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Belguardo

Cost: $22.09 CI
Grape Variety: Vermentino
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Toscana
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mezzei
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Try this crisp & tart wine that’s different from your Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Grigio etc.

Positives: This wine features lemon, nectarines, lots of minerality, slight oxidation and orange rind on the finish. Light to medium body with high acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled calamari.

Interesting Point: Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s in recommending this wine.

Tasted: 7 January 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

05 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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cloud break

Cost: $8.99 US
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Total Wines, Florida
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cloudy Break Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Not a complex Chard, but oh so good & at under $10 you can’t lose

Positives: This wine features mild toasted oak, butter, lemon meringue, pineapple, coconut, flan, peach & golden apple. Medium to full body with good acidity & fairly long length.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with classic potato chips to custard desert.

Interesting Point: Nice to see a well balanced, in-expensive & creamy California Chard that is under $13

Tasted: 5 January 2014

Amazing Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

KIRKLAND SIGNATURE SERIES, MOUNTAIN CUVÉE, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Napa Valley, California, United States

04 Saturday Jan 2014

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Kirkland Signature

Cost: $18.99
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Costco, Florida
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kirkland
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This wine is reminiscent of Christmas potpourri

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, nutmeg, cinnamon, cherry, black currents, blackberry, mulberry, Darjeeling tea, mocha, espresso, Christmas cake, roasted raspberry almonds, graphite & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: You can feel the 14.9% alcohol

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

Tasted: 4 January 2014

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

KIRKLAND SIGNATURE BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Champagne, France

01 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Champagne, Non LCBO Wine

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Kirkland champagne

Cost: $19.99 US
Grape Variety: 65% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location Bought: Costco, Florida
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kirkland
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright yello gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

Happy New Year 2014 with this $20 Champagne!

Positives: This true champagne from Kirkland features a lot of yeast, mild toastiness, tart orange, peach, lemon marmalade & toffee. Full body with fairly good acidity & average length.

Negatives: A little too yeasty, tart & one dimensional.

Drink now on its own or pair it with peach pie.

Tasted: 1 January 2014

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

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

WILLIAM HILL CHARDONNAY 2011, Central Coast, California, United States

22 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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William_Hill_Chardonnay_web

Cost: $18.99 CI
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Central Coast, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: William Hill Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple, on the sweeter style Chard.

Positives: This wine features mild toasted oak, lemon candy, peach, sweet corn, mango & ripe pineapple. Full body with medium acidity & an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For $10 more the William Hill Napa Chard is far superior and worth the extra money. See my tasting notes 12 Nov 2012

Drink now on its own or pair it with Coquilles St. Jacques.

Tasted: 12 Dec 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

KING ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2009, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States

15 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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King Estate

Cost: $26.30 CI
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: King Estate
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A simple, light style Pinot Noir

Positives: This wine features pine, cranberry, sour cherry and some earth notes. Light body & tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with thin crust pizza.

Tasted: 15 Dec 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5