Category Archives: Non LCBO Wine

CHARLES DE FÈRE, BLANC DE BLANC, BRUT RÉSERVE, MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE, NV, Loire Valley, Charentes, and Gers, France

17 Sunday Mar 2013

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Charles de fere

Cost: $19.85 (Cayman)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay, Uni Blanc, Chenin Blanc & Colombard
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley, Charentes, Gers
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles de Fère, Boisset Family Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ straw in colour with medium+ intense nose and fine mousse.

Can’t disagree with a French Blanc de Blanc made in the traditional way for under $20.

Positives: Very doughy on the nose and taste along with subtle notes of melon, nutmeg, green papaya, ginger, ripe apple and dill. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: About Charles de Fère

“Charles de Fère came to life in 1980 when an innovative sixth generation winemaker from Champagne, Jean-Louis, decided to start his own sparkling winery in a town called Fère-en-Tardois, just outside Champagne. He set out with a vision of crafting high-quality sparkling wines from grapes grown throughout France, strongly believing that a more diverse sourcing strategy would allow him access to the best possible grapes each year. Northern vineyards brought freshness and elegance, while southern vineyards provided beautifully ripe fruit, body and smoothness to the wines. In honor of his son Charles, he named his winery Charles de Fère, meaning “Charles from Fère.”

Today, Charles de Fère wines are crafted in Burgundy at the Boisset family’s
state-of-the-art sparkling wine facility. True to its roots, Charles de Fère’s grapes
continue to come from diverse terroirs throughout France, ensuring the best
possible fruit for consistently excellent sparkling wines at a great value.” Boisset Family Estate Winery

Drink now on its own or pair it with cheese and tomato omelet spiced with red pepper flakes & shallots.

Tasted: 17 Mar 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

RAKA QUINARY 2003, Western Cape, South Africa

16 Saturday Mar 2013

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Raka

Cost: $24.95 (Cayman)
Grape Variety: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 6% Petite Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga Cayman Islands
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Raka Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with medium+ intense nose.

This 2003 vintage is still drinking well and still taste more like a $40-$50 wine.

Positives: Cedar and sandalwood, kalamata olives, black currents, figs, coffee, oregano, prunes and rye & pastrami. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairy long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Bruschetta and olive paste.

Tasted: 16 Mar 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

CRANE LAKE BRUT SPARKLING WINE, NV, METHODE CHAMPENOISE, California

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Crane Lake
 
Grape Variety: Chardonnay blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Drank: American Airlines business class
Country: USA
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Crane Lake Winery
Alcohol: 11.5 %

Description: Pale straw in colour with fine mousse & a medium+ intensity.

I was surprised that American Airlines had a decent sparkling wine in business class that was produced in the Methode Champenoise.

Positives: This dry & crisp sparkler features lemon, baked apples, Anjou pear, brioche, chalk & a slight yeastiness. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I like that AA uses glass instead of plastic cups to to serve their wines.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with a Spanish omelette.

Tasted: 12 March 2013 (Happy Birthday to me!)

Score: 8.5+/10

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

07 Thursday Feb 2013

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Souverain

Cost: $28.99 (sale $20.99) (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Souverain Winery
Alcohol: 14.1 % Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: I find that Souverain Winery produces excellent wines and this one doesn’t disappoint me. This Cab features spruce, smoked oak, boysenberry, blueberry, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, graphite, leather and arugula. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair with T-bone steak.

Tasted: 6 Feb 13

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (9/10 sale price), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CASTLE ROCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Paso Robles, California

05 Tuesday Feb 2013

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CR-PRCS2010-2

Cost: $14.99 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga
Country: United States
Region: Paso Robles
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castle Rock Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: Another surprise for me this week as this Cab from California for under $15 isn’t jammy or high in alcohol. The wine features sandalwood, bramble fruit, figs, cherry pipe tobacco, pecans, cinnamon and cloves. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Interesting Point: If you want to have a second bottle to drink tonight then this is a great option.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Nice to see a Paso Robles Cab that is under 14% alcohol.

Best Buy

Drink now on its own or pair with butternut squash ravioli.

Tasted: 4 Feb 13

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

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

HESS SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009, North Coast, California

05 Tuesday Feb 2013

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217184

Cost: $21.75 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Red blend with Cabernet Sauvignon being the main grape
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga
Country: United States
Region: North Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hess Family Estates
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: Happily surprised that the Hess entry Cab was a nice drinking wine featuring some oak, vanilla, cherry cola, boysenberry, anise, rubbed sage, mocha and artichoke. Medium+ body, dry tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair with mushroom, pepperoni and tomato pizza.

Tasted: 4 Feb 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

JOSEPH CARR CHARDONNAY 2010, St. Helena, California

04 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Joseph Carr Chard

Cost: $22.99 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s
Country: United States
Region: St. Helena
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Joseph Carr
Alcohol: 14.1 % Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A pleasant drinking Chard featuring light oak, lemon, quince, pear, peanuts, grapefruit and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: Use the larger Chard glasses and don’t over chill it. I really like Joseph Carr’s labels as they are clean and classic.

Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair with rotisserie chicken.

Tasted: 3 Feb 13

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

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

NOBILO ICON PINOT NOIR 2010, Marlborough, New Zealand

03 Sunday Feb 2013

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Nobilo Pinot

Cost: $27.59 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Nobilo Wines
Alcohol: 15 % Alcohol/Vol.
Description: A medium ruby with a garnet tinge in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A powerful Pinot that features cedar, pine, lavender, dark and sour cherry, cranberry, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, rosemary and champagne mushrooms. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: 15% alcohol

Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair with lavender, black pepper and herb encrusted pork loin.

Tasted: 2 Feb 13

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CASTLE ROCK BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2010, Central Coast, California

03 Sunday Feb 2013

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Castle Rock Chard

Cost: $14.99 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga
Country: United States
Region: Central Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castle Rock Winery Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.
Description: A deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: I am always surprised to drink an inexpensive Chard from the Central Coast and when it’s labeled “barrel fermented” and not be drinking an oak drink with some flavor. This is not a complex wine by any stretch of the imagination, but what does have is good quality. You’ll find medium buttery toasted oak, lemon candy, quince apples with a nice mineral finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with a cheese plate.

Tasted: 1 Feb 13

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18+/20

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

HESS ALLOMI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009, Napa Valley, California

03 Sunday Feb 2013

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Hess Allomi Cab bottle 001

Cost: $30.50 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Hess Collection Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.7 % Alcohol/Vol.
Description: A deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: An easy drinking Cab featuring sweet oak, plums, blackberry, dark cherry, raspberry, roasted red pepper, allspice and a leatherly finish. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with sweet and spicy ribs.

Tasted: 31 Jan 13

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

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