Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

DOMAINE CARNEROS BRUT BY TAITTINGER 2008, Method Champenoise, Carneros, California, United States

15 Sunday Dec 2013

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

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Carneros

Cost: $33.99 CI
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Carneros
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

If you don’t want to pay triple the cost of a Taittinger vintage Champagne, yet have similar style & notes, this is one of the best.

Positives: This complex yet very smooth sparkling wine features yeast, lemon, brioche, Anjou pear, baked apples, tangerine, seaweed & wet stone. Medium body with good tannins and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 3 years in the bottle before being released.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with truffle oil Parmigiano French fries.

Tasted: 15 Dec 2013

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5+

MARQUIS DE LATOUR BRUT NV, Loire Valley, France

12 Thursday Dec 2013

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

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3258316030229_web

Cost: $16.99 CI (On sale $12.99 for the month of Dec 2013)
Grape Variety: Ugni Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Remy Pennier
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and plentiful mousse.

Well this was a nice surprise. Crisp, clean & easy to drink & at $13 it’s an amazing buy.

Positives: This sparkling features honeydew melon, lime, green apples, peach, pear & lemon grass. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with arugula and cherry tomato salad with lemon and chili olive oil vinaigrette.

Tasted: 12 Dec 2013

Amazing Buy when it’s under $13, and Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

THE OJAI VINEYARD 2005, Santa Barbara, California, United States

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

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

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Ojai

Cost: $19.99 CI
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Santa Barbara County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Ojai Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Inky ruby with purple tinge in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

What an amazing wine that I got for under $20 in the Cayman Islands. LCBO had it in 2011 for $39.99

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, tar, coffee beans, violets, cigar box, peppers, burnt rubber, ripe tamarind, tarragon, licorice & leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lucky I bought out the store with this wine.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with ragù alla Bolognese with garlic bread.

Tasted: 10 Dec 2013

Top Pick & Best Buy (in Cayman)

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

THE CRUSHER VIOGNIER 2012, Clarksburg, California, United States

09 Monday Dec 2013

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

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the crusher

Cost: $21.99 CI ($16.95 LCBO)
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s
Country: United States
Region: Clarksburg, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Crusher Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

One of the truest Viognier outside Condrieu. Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands for this recommendation

Positives: This full flavoured wine features Anjou pear, kumquat, green & yellow apple, apricot, peach, ginger, pineapple, green mango, honeydew melon & coconut. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The up & coming appellation of Clarksburg is surrounded by the cooling waterway of the Sacramento River Delta providing a signature marine climate. The clay & loam soils are rich, fed by runoff from the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains, ensuring healthy fruit. Clarksburg encompasses 56,900 acres over an area 16 miles long & 8 miles wide. Warm summer days and cool nights typify the climate during the long, dry growing season.” (Crusher Winery)

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with spinach & raspberry vinaigrette.

Tasted: 9 Dec 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 361964

JEAN VINCENT 2011 SANCERRE, AOC Sancerre, Loire Valley, France

08 Sunday Dec 2013

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jean-vincent-sancerre-loire-france-10455038

Cost: $29.99 CI  
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Sancerre, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jean Vincent Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. 

A full flavoured Sauvignon Blanc that will not disappoint

Positives: This wine features lime, wakame, Asian pear, gooseberry, grapefruit, green apples, limestone and a hint of grassiness on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Average price in US is $16 which would make it a best buy.  

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with conch ceviche.

Tasted: 8 Dec 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LUNETTA PROSECCO NV, DOC Trentino, Italy

07 Saturday Dec 2013

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lunetta_prosecco_low_res

Cost: $22.99 CI (Sale for December 2013 $16.99)
Grape Variety: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Trentino
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cavit Winery
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and medium mousse.

A simple Prosecco that I would use in a Bellini

Positives: This sparkling wine features Easter lily & white tea on the nose with green apples, lime & peach on the palate. Medium light body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Price range should be around $10

Drink now on its own or pair it with poached eggs on a bed of wilted greens.

Tasted: 7 Dec 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

TRIUS BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

11 Friday Oct 2013

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trius_chardonnay-bf_2

Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until 13 Oct 13: $17.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Hillebrand Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hillebrand Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A simple oaked Chard that is of good quality.

Positives: The wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, red crab apple, white flower and pineapple. Medium+ body with good acidity and a surprising long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the larger Chard glass.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with turkey dinner.

Tasted: 9 Oct 2013

Best Buy

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

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

ARTADI BRUT 2007 CAVA, Traditional Method, Álava, Laguardia, Spain

04 Wednesday Sep 2013

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Artadi

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance: $18.75)
Grape Variety: Viura
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages Private Import
Country: Spain
Region: Álava, Laguardia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Artadi Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse.

A unique experience and a rare find in Ontario — this Spanish sparkling made out of the Viura grape which also taste’s like a vintage Champagne at 1/3 of the price.

Positives: This sparkling wine features yeast, brioche, baked apples, lemon candy, peach, pear and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Only available at Crossroads LCBO (Weston & 401)

Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with cavair.

Tasted: 3 Sep 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

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

MAGNOTTA BLANC DE BLANCS 2011 SPARKLING WINE, Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Friday Aug 2013

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d_swbldeblanc

Cost: $17.15 ($16.95+deposit)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse.

What a nice surprise to have a quality sparkling wine in the traditional method at under $20

Positives: Full flavoured, well balanced and easy drinking sparkling wine features lemon, green & golden apple, pear, light yeast & brioche and limestone on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Unusual to see a sparkling with about 14% alcohol.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with seared scallops on a bed of cooked spinach & mustard greens.

Tasted: 27 Aug 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

BURNING KILN HARVEST PARTY CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Ontario, Canada

12 Monday Aug 2013

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

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Burning Kiln

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Burning Kiln
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with a medium to low intense nose.

Thank you to my friend Marty for bringing this fairly priced Chard that’s easy to drink.

Positives: Nothing really expresses itself in this mild Chard, instead it has a soft melody of light oak, lemon, peach & apples (red, yellow & green). Medium body with medium acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A slight bitterness on the aftertaste.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Chilean sea bass.

Tasted: 12 Aug 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5