Category Archives: Red Wines

BROTHERHOOD NEW YORK PREMIUM SELECTION PINOT NOIR 2017, Washingtonville, New York, United States of America

10 Monday Jul 2023

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Cost: $27.95 (Clearance price: $24.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Washingtonville, New York
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Brotherhood Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Burgundian style Pinot with layered complexity with fruit & earth notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, cranberry, plum, mushrooms, earth, peat moss, black tea & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Listed as the American oldest winery, & they survived Prohibition by producing medicinal and sacramental wines.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with Escargot.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 9, 2023

LCBO: 79939

SCHOOL HOUSE VINEYARD MESCOLANZA SYRAH BLEND 2015, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, California, United States of America

23 Friday Jun 2023

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Cost: $40.95 (Clearance Price: $28.70)
Grape: 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: School House Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Although these are classic Syrah Rhône grapes, the styling is Napa with sweet fruitiness, but unlike Napa, it is under 14% alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, high intensity nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Kirsch, blueberry, blackberry, plum, ripe tannin, white pepper, smoked bacon & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vineyard’s Rhône style field blend has 45 rows of Syrah, 5 rows of Grenache, and 2 rows of Mourvèdre.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 -6 years on its own or pair it with Korean Beef Short Ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended at the Clearance Price

Tasted: June 19, 2023

LCBO: 24452

MON FRÈRE PINOT NOIR 2020, United States of America, California

20 Thursday Apr 2023

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mon Frére Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice Cali Pinot without the standard high alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby with a garnet tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, plum, ripe tamarind, clove, cinnamon, vanilla & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

VINIFICATION: “Grapes are harvested in early September. All of the fruit is hand-sorted and fully destemmed with no crushing. Cold soaks (4-5 days), warm fermentations (85-90 degree range), and minimal punch downs. Total skin contact ranges from 11-18 days, with wine put to barrel on the lees for malolactic fermentation. Racking is minimal, with only one base blend to allow the new wine to “marry” in the barrel before bottling. Native yeast is used on small lots using cultured burgundy isolates. Aged 10 months in 100% French oak (25% new oak).” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Gruyère cheese.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 19, 2023

LCBO: 30819

VERGELEGEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa

08 Saturday Apr 2023

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Cost: $20.99 KY (April 2023 sale: $13.99)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 62%, Merlot 22%, Cabernet Franc 14%, Malbec 2%
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vergelegen Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex Bordeaux style wine from South Africa at a great price. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, chalky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mulberry, cherry, blueberry, blackcurrant, cassis, pencil shavings, cedar, tobacco leaves, coffee & Freesia on the nose.

Negatives: None

VINIFICATION: “At Vergelegen the grapes are handpicked followed by storage in a refrigerated container at -10°C for 24 hours. The cool grapes (8-10°C) are then carefully sorted on combinations of vibrating tables and slow movingconveyors, where between 1,5-3 tons are sorted per hour. The grapes are de-stemmed but not crushed and the grapes/must cold soaked for 7 days followed by a feral fermentation lasting 96 hours. Eventually, cultured yeast is addedand the juice fermented dry. The young red wine is now macerated on the skins for a further 32 days before going to barrel. The wine was bottled on 17 December 2019.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 -7 years on its own or pair it with baby back ribs

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 6, 2023

JORDAN CHARDONNAY 2017, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

03 Monday Apr 2023

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

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Cost: $38.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Jordan Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical heavy style Cali Chard with high alcohol, but styled like Pouilly-Fuissé, elegant & full of charm. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lemon peel, green apples, white peach, quince, pear, pineapple, and honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Fermentation: “Clusters destemmed and gently pressed at night to extract freshness and acidity while avoiding astringent phenolic character from the skins. Inoculated and fermented 13 days in 61% new French oak barrels and 39% in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation limited to only 27% to ensure that aromas were not masked by a buttery component. Aged 6 months in 100% French Oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 -7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chilean Sea Bass with a Lemon Parmesan Cream.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Apil 1, 2023

PEDRONCELLI PINOT NOIR 2021, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, United States of America

01 Saturday Apr 2023

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $25.99 KY
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pedroncelli
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir with sweet fruits & spice. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Red cherry, plum, strawberry, pomegranate, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla and Kirsch on the nose.

Negatives: The heat from alcohol of 14.2%

Interesting Point: Slightly chill

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with turtle stew.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 31, 2023

PEDRONCELLI MERLOT 2019, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

31 Friday Mar 2023

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Cost: $23.99 KY
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States of America
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pedroncelli
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich, juicy Merlot with some spiciness. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, crème de cassis, raspberry, plum, black tea, mocha, Star Anise, cloves, oak spice, tobacco, vanilla, leather & arugula.

Negatives: The heat from the high alcohol of 14.5%

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with ribeye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 30, 2023

LUNDY MANOR WINE CELLARS MERITAGE 2016, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Monday Mar 2023

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

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: 40% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, 17.5% Cabernet Franc, 17.5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, complex & elegant. This high-quality Canadian red at a great price as other wineries are charging twice the amount. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, plum, Crème de Cassis, pencil shavings, .

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Wine spent 2 years in French Oak. Love the classic bottle.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with a juicy tenderloin grilled steak with roasted orange & red peppers.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 9, 2023

ARIENZO DE MARQUES DE RISCAL RIOJA 2016 CRIANZA, DO CA Rioja, Spain

02 Thursday Mar 2023

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

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Cost: $16.99 KY
Grape: 95% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Herederos del Marqués de Riscal
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja Crianza with nice fruits & spices all at a good price point. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, pomegranate, strawberry, raspberry, peppercorn, nutmeg, cloves, coconut, vanilla & sandalwood on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 18 months aged in American oak barrels followed more aging in the bottle.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years, on its own or pair it with Paella.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 1, 2023

TWO MOUNTAIN MERLOT 2019, Yakima Valley, Washington State, United States of America

28 Tuesday Feb 2023

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Cost: $25.99 KY
Grape: 93% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: Yakima Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Two Mountain Winery
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balance between fruit, acidity & oak. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, raspberry, tamarind, roasted beets, licorice, black peppers, cocoa, bay leaves & lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified green winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years, on its own or pair it with Teppanyaki vegetables .

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 27, 2023