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

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+

Cost: $22.95 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Joseph Carr
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose

Positives: This wine features pine, blackberry, blueberry, anise, turmeric, rosemary, leather, artichoke, spinach and radicchio. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Lots of green notes

Interesting Notes: Good value for a quality Napa Valley Cab. Thanks to Roberto for recommending this.

Drink now or over the next 3-5 years with a meat dish such as a T-bone steak.

Tasted: 30 Jan 13

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

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

 

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: It’s been a long time since I had a Merlot that I really like. This easy drinking wine features light cedar, boysenberry, mulberry, mocha, lavender, plum, dark cherry, tarragon and woodsmoke. Medium+ body, medium tannins, good acidity, fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair cheese plate featuring pepper brie & manchego.

Tasted: 11 Jan 13

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

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

Cost: $59.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Consignment
Country: United States
Region: Carneros
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foster’S Wine Estates Americas
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light ruby in colour with medium to medium+ nose.

Positives: An elegant Pinot featuring sandalwood, cherry, rhubarb, strawberry & some earth notes. Medium to light with medium minus tannins, good acidity & fairly long length.

Negatives: None

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

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4