Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

In addition to Best Buys, these are my top picks with no consideration to price

LUIS FELIPE EDWARDS LFE900 SINGLE VINEYARD RED BLEND 2012, Colchagua Valley, Chile

20 Wednesday Apr 2016

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Life900

Cost: $24.75
Grape: 58% Syrah, 33% Carménère, 4% Petit Syrah, 3% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lius Felipe Edwards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

From the bottle to the wine, this wine feels & taste expensive, but isn’t!

Description: Deep purple to ruby in colour with a high intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, dark cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, eucalyptus, espresso, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, tobacco leaves, oregano, sage and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: The vineyards that yield this wine are located 900 meters above sea level thus the name.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Seared Rosemary Mint Lamb Chops.

Tasted: 15 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 431809

CASARENA SINERGY RESERVE RED BLEND 2013, Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

05 Tuesday Apr 2016

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Casarena

Cost: $21.95
Grape: 70% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Casarena
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive wine that’s juicy, complex, full flavoured & balanced at a price well below what it taste like

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plum, raisins, anise, cassis, spearmint, thyme, turmeric, arugula and violets on the nose. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Interesting abstract label

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Bone-In Rib Eye with roasted red peppers.

Tasted: 29 March 2016

Best buy & Top pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 366104

NEWTON RED LABEL CHARDONNAY 2013, Napa County, California, United States

05 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Newton

Cost: $25.00 US (Sale: $20.00), $28.00 US at Winery
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Miami Duty Free Airport
Country: United States
Region: Napa County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Newton Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, creamy delightful Napa Chard that is well priced

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, butter, lemon meringue, crème brûlée, green & red apples, peaches & cream corn, peach, mango, pineapple, ginger, dill, oak spice, limestone and Easter lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill and use the larger Montrachet glassware

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Oven Poached Dover Sole with butter, capers and white wine sauce.

Tasted: 28 March 2016

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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

CAYMUS VINEYARDS 2013, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, United States

21 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by in Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Caymus

Cost: $99.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caymus Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Oh my! This is decadent

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features layers of flavours starting with cedar/sandalwood, dark cherry, plum, blueberry pie, tamarind, raspberry, chocolate, cherry tobacco, espresso, dates, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and purple lilacs & peat moss on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: 14.9% alcohol, but what they hay!

Interesting Note: This is so smooth and delicious I could easily drink bottles of this, but then I would be broke, oh well, you only live once (that one remembers?)

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Spice-Crusted Strip Steak with Tamarind Sauce.

Tasted: 8 March 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 222877

 

 

PAHLMEYER PROPRIETARY RED 2008, Napa Valley, California, United States

18 Friday Mar 2016

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Pahlmeyer

Cost: $149.95
Grape Variety: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pahlmeyer
Alcohol: 15.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Weighty price, heavy bottle, hefty flavour

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, blueberry, plum, raspberry, mocha, cappuccino, Allspice, cherry tobacco, turmeric and vanilla. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: 15.2% alcohol

Interesting Point: Tasted this wine in several style glassware, including the Riedel Sommelier Bordeaux and even the Pinot Noir style. An interesting find with the latter as it eliminated the traditional green notes that initially dominated the finishing notes in the other styles. However, after being allowed to breathe in the Sommelier glass for a while it was elegant, silky and just plain delicious. Decant for an hour.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Porterhouse Lamb Chops with Garlic Herb Mashed potatoes.

Tasted: 16 March 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

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

LCBO:329375 Old skew number: 967992

SAMSARA MELVILLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2011, Melville, Sta. Rita Hills, California

18 Friday Mar 2016

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

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Samsara

Cost: $85.50 US
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Melville, Sta. Rita Hills, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Samsara
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

New World style Pinot that is just beautiful & worth the premium price

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features an beautiful aromatic nose followed by an equally delicious palate. Notes include purple lilacs, paradise plum, sage, strawberry, raspberry, peat moss, forest greens, and Sea-grape. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine to my daughter; Sarah, for my birthday present.

Interesting Note:

  • Lightly chill and serve in a balloon style Pinot glass
  • Hand picked & hand made
  • Neither fined nor filtered

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Roasted Crispy Goose.

Tasted: 16 March 2016

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

Top Pick

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

CHÂTEAU LA COURANÇONNE SEGURET ROSÉ “La Fiole du Chevalier d’Elbène”2014, AOC Côtes du Rhône, France

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

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

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Seguret

Cost: $24.40 US ($20 CI)
Grape: 50% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Côtes du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château La Courançonne
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, smooth, juicy & delicious

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features watermelon, pink grapefruit, strawberry, raspberry, tangerine and cherry blossom on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine

Interesting Note: This vintage is superior to the 2012 vintage reviewed by me in 2014.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto & basil roll

Tasted: 15 March 2016

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

TOLAINI PICCONERO TENUTA MONTOBELLO 2009, IGT Tuscany, Italy

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

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

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tolaini-picconero-tenuta-montebello-toscana-igt-tuscany-italy-10556535

Cost: $110 US
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Toscana
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tolaini
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This Merlot dominant wine is impressive now but should be delivering the wow factor in 3 to 5 yrs

Description: Deep bright ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, tobacco leaf, leather, sage, oregano, fennel, white & black pepper, boysenberry and spinach. Medium+ body with high tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine

Interesting Note: Decant for an hour or double decant if you don’t have the time.

Drink now or in the next 10-15 years on its own or pair it with Braised Beef (marinated in Barolo wine and spices).

Tasted: 14 March 2016

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5/20

Top Pick

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

POL ROGER BRUT RÉSERVE CHAMPAGNE NV, AOC Epernay, Champagne, France

12 Saturday Mar 2016

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Pol Roger

Cost: $64.25
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pol Roger
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Lighter style Champagne that is truly classic

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This Champagne features brioche, yeast, lemon/lime, Anjou pear, peach, grapefruit, green apples, pistachios, toasted coconut, limestone and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium body with crisp acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with lobster eggs Benedict.

Tasted: 12 March 2016 (Happy Birthday to me!)

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

Top Pick

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

LCBO Online: 217158

CONCHA Y TORO DON MELCHOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008, DO Maipo Valley, Chile

10 Thursday Mar 2016

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Don Melchor 2008

Cost: $70.00
Grape: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Online
Country: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Concha Y Toro
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Cab at half the price of a comparable Napa Cab

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blueberry, plum, blackcurrants, Allspice, cassis, espresso, eucalyptus, pepper, pencil shavings and cigar box. Medium+ body with crisp acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Herb Garlic and Black Pepper Crusted Kansas City cut strip steak.

Tasted: 10 March 2016

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

Top Pick

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

LCBO Online: 403980