Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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

NEWTON UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2010, Napa County, California, United States

24 Thursday Apr 2014

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

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Newton Chard

Cost: $49.00 US
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Miami International Airport Duty Free
Country: United States
Region: Napa County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Newton
Alcohol: 15% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

One of my favourite Chards, rich, bold & beautiful

Positives: This complex wine features medium toasted oak, Easter Lily, pineapple, papaya, mango, lemon, honeydew melon, ginger, butterscotch and nutmeg. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well-integrated due to the rich full body.

Negatives: Would be perfect with a lower alcohol level than 15%

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with lobster souffle.

Tasted: 20 April 2014

Top Pick

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

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

BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2007, DOCG, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

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

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Brunello

Cost: $45.00 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Sangiovese
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Montalcino, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duca Di Saragnano
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright ruby with a garnet tinge in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A perfect nose followed by a great taste.

Positives: This complex wine features cedar with sour cherry, cloves, nutmeg, sage, cherry cola, vanilla, white pepper, peppercorn, espresso, blackberry preserve & arugula. Medium+ body & tannins with good acidity & a long average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Taste like $60-$70 Brunello

Thanks to Mario from the new wine store, The Tasting Room in Grand Cayman for recommending this wine.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with braised Bison short rib.

Tasted: 19 April 2014

Top pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

JEAN MARC BROCARD CHABLIS 2011, AC Chablis, France

19 Saturday Apr 2014

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Chablis

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Chablis
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jean-Marc Brocard
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Hard to find a great Chablis is for under $20

Positives: This complex wine features Easter lily, lemon/lime, pink grapefruit, Brie rind, Spy apple, honey, almonds and limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: From single vineyard “Sainte-Claire” 30 year old vines on Kimmeridgian Limestone fermented with indigenous yeast.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Beausoleil oysters in honey, ginger & shallot vinaigrette.

Tasted: 14 April 2014

Best Buy and Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 356634

BERONIA GRAN RESERVA 2006, DOC Rioja, Spain

08 Tuesday Apr 2014

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

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Beronia

Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: Predominately Tempranillo with Graciano & Mazuelo
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This is reminiscent of the smell of smoke from wood burning fireplaces while on an evening walk.

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, sandalwood, plum, figs, dark cherry, cinnamon, cloves, mocha, vanilla, coconut, rosemary, sage, blueberry, mulberry and pipe tobacco. Medium body with medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Very youthful for a Gran Reserva

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 3 April 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 940965

NEWTON CLARET 2008, Napa County, California, United States

15 Saturday Mar 2014

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

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Newton 2008

Cost: $29.59 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: 53% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Napa County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Newton Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A delicious Right Bank Bordeaux style from Napa

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, blackcurrants, blackberry, dark cherry, cigar box, plum, purple lilacs, cinnamon, cloves & dark chocolate. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Note: Tasted the 2007 as well, and the 2008 is more to my liking.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with braised lamb shank.

Tasted: 8 March 2014

Top Pick

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

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

FERRARI BRUT NV, Traditional Method, DOC Trento, Italy

11 Tuesday Feb 2014

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

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Ferrari

Cost: $25.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Trento, Italy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ferrari SPA
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

Simply delicious! A nice balance between Champagne and Prosecco

Positives: This sparkling wine features light yeast, lemon, clementine, apple blossom, green apple, pear & wet stone. Medium body and with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I was able to purchase this at the Brampton LCBO for $20.80

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Arugula, prosciutto & Brie Panini.

Tasted: 11 February 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 52153

SAINT CLAIR PIONEER BLOCK 10 CHARDONNAY 2010, Omaka Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

07 Friday Feb 2014

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Block

Cost: $25.95 (Clearance price: $20.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Omaka Valley, Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Saint Clair Wines
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

This Chard could compete with wines double its price

Positives: This wine features medium toasted spicy oak, lemon, pineapple, peach, Northern Spy apple, ginger, caramelized sugar & roasted marshmallow. Full body and with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Single vineyard whose grapes were mostly handpicked.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Cornish hen.

Tasted: 7 February 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance Price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 317651

ATALON MERLOT 2004, Napa Valley, California, United States

10 Friday Jan 2014

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

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Atalon

Cost: $26.59 CI
Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Atalon
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A nice juicy, complex but easy drinking Merlot. One of my favourites.

Positives: This wine features cedar, dark cherry, blackberry, blueberry, figs, Moroccan spices, espresso, artichoke & some cigar box notes. Medium to full body with round tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with roasted rack of lamb & mint sauce.

Interesting Point: Almost 10 years old and still going strong.

Tasted: 9 January 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

PIPER-HEIDSIECK BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Reims, Champagne, France

05 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Piper Heidsieck

Cost: $54.95 ($34.95 Total Wines, Florida)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meuniers
Category: Champagne
Location Bought: Total Wines, Florida
Country: France
Region: Reims, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Piper Heidsieck
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

The sports car of Champagnes; fast, lean, racy & easy to drink

Positives: This complex wine features light toast & yeast, guava, honeysuckle, pear, green apples, pistachio, tobacco, melba toast & icing sugar on the finish. Light to medium body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: $20 more expensive in Ontario than Florida.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with raspberry point oysters.

Interesting Point: My wife’s go to Champagne, and if it were priced like Florida this would be a weekly staple.

Tasted: 5 January 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 462432

PEGASUS BAY PINOT NOIR 2007, Waipara Valley, New Zealand

27 Friday Dec 2013

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

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pegasus

Cost: $47.95 (Clearance: $33.65)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Waipara Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Donaldson Family Ltd
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Reminds me of a cold crisp winter night with wood fireplaces burning their logs.

Positives: A nose that I can immerse myself in and the taste is not far behind. This wine features pine, crisp bacon, pomegranate, sour & dark cherry, violets, strawberry & a touch of earthiness.  Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with roasted pig.

Tasted: 26 Dec 2013

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5+) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 31294