Category Archives: Top Picks

GRECO DI TUFO FEUDI DI SAN GREGORIO 2013, DOCG Greco Di Tufo, Campania, Italy

20 Wednesday Apr 2016

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GRECO-DI-TUFO

Cost: $14.50
Grape: Greco
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Special Order
Country: Italy
Region: Greco Di Tufo, Campania
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Feudi Di San Gregorio
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A gem if you find it

Description: Rich gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lemon, pink grapefruit, guava, passion fruit, pear, peach pit, orange rind and jasmine on the nose. Medium body with crisp acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Feudi Di San Gregorio has some excellent wines that are worth the buys, and all their labels are beautiful mosaics.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with arugula, prosciutto, cheese pizza. FYI Pie wood fire pizza restaurant makes one of the best and it’s called Hind Leg Pie.

Tasted: 7 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: Special Order

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MEYER PINOT NOIR 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

19 Monday Oct 2015

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

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Meyer

Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Strath Ale Wine & Spirits Merchants, Victoria, BC
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Meyer Family Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

This could pass for a $50 Burgundian Pinot, truly delicious

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features barnyard smells, pine, dark cherries, raspberry, rhubarb, pinenuts, beets, a touch of Christmas cake, forest moss and smoked ambers. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Surprisingly, there’s some heat from only 13% alcohol

Interesting Point: Lightly chill

Drink now on its own or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Balsamic Cherry and Thyme Glazed Duck Breast.

Tasted: 7 Oct 2015

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 392449 (2012 vintage presently at LCBO)

WENTE RIVA RANCH CHARDONNAY 2012, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California

04 Saturday Jul 2015

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Wente

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Every thing I love about a great Chard: Rich, creamy, balanced & full body, all the qualities you find in a wine double the price.

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted buttered oak, Easter Lily, lemon tart, peach, pineapple, mango, toffee, crème brûlée, roasted marshmallows, cream corn and vanilla. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Although I quite like Wente’s entry level Chard; Morning Fog that I reviewed previously, for $4 more this wine exceeds expectations.

Thanks to my daughter Sarah as this was an early father’s day present from her.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Quail with brioche and chorizo stuffing.

Tasted: 13 June 2015

Top Pick & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 979344

FEUDO DI SANTA CROCE, PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2011, DOP Puglia, Italy

12 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks

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Feudo-Celebration-Primitivo

Cost: $24.00 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Primitivo di Manduria
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tinazzi
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Primitivo’s I’ve tasted; rich, balanced & smooth, but not overripe

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light cedar, fresh cut carnations, violets, raisins, plums, blueberries, raspberries and cloves. Full body with soft tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from the Tasting Room for suggesting this wine.

Interesting Note:  This is a quality wine showcased in a heavy and beautifully labeled bottle, and could easily pass for a wine double in price.

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with BBQ point cut smoked brisket.

Tasted: 11 June 2015

Top Pick & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

HEDGES FAMILY ESTATE RED 2011, Red Mountain, Washington State, United States

28 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by in Red Wines, Top Picks

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Hedges

Cost: $34.95
Grape Variety: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 16% Syrah, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Red Mountain, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hedges Family Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High-end wine at half the price that’s elegant and delicious

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features oak, blackberry, dark cherry, black currants, raspberry, turmeric, cinnamon, anise, cassis, dry herbs, espresso and leather. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Still young but drinking well now. If you can, buy several and cellar them.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with pan seared butter-basted rib eye steak.

Tasted: 27 April 2015

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 1594

MAGNOTTA GRAN RESERVA MERITAGE 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

31 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks

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Magnotta Meritage

Cost: $29.20
Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Wines
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 15.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Big, bold, beautiful & quality that’s rare in Ontario reds under $30

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, mulberry, dark cherry, raspberry, cassis, anise, cinnamon, cloves, Allspice, eucalyptus, nutmeg, turmeric and leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Recommended serving temperature is 12-16 C or 54-61 F

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Beef Tenderloin in Cherry Black Pepper Sauce.

Tasted: 28 March 2015

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

JOSEPH PHELPS INSIGNIA 2005, Napa Valley, California, United States

14 Saturday Mar 2015

Posted by in Red Wines, Top Picks

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Insignia

IMG_6866

Cost: $180.59 (Cayman Islands funds bought in Nov 2013)
Grape Variety: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location Blackbeard’s
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably the best red wine I’ve ever tasted

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, black cherry, plums, butter toffee, sea grape, caramel, medjool dates, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, espresso & Cherry Bonbon pipe tobacco throughout. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with rib-eye steak from Mario’s; The Tasting Room and my wife’s grilled peppers, green beans and mushrooms

Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for suggesting it

Top Pick

Tasted: 12 March 2015 (HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY TO ME!)

Score: 10/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO: 710400

BACHELDER OREGON CHARDONNAY 2011, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

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Bachelder

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $21.00)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bachelder
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Clear & focused Chard, oh yes it’s also yummy

Description: Bright light yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features a beautiful nose followed up by crisp citric fruits, sweet tropical fruit, spices with oak playing a supporting role. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the larger Montrachet glass to bring out the tropical fruit

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with pecan crusted pan seared Trout.

Tasted: 26 Feb 2015

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 273334

IL TEMPLARE MONTENIDOLI 2009, IGT Toscana, Italy

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Sono Montenidoli di Maria Elisabetta Fagiuoli, Top Picks, White Wines

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Montenidol

Cost: $9.70 Euros
Grape Variety: 70% Vernaccia, 20% Trebbiano Gentile, 10% Malvasia Bianca
Category: White Wine
Location Winery
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sono Montenidoli
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Versatile, diverse, interesting, complex and yes yummy

Description: Deep old gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This slightly oxidative wine features Lily on the nose followed by lemon tarts, honey, ginger, orange and guava. Medium+ body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried every white wine glass and the results were the same, delicious.

Winemaker; Elisabetta Fagiuoli started a non-profit foundation, Sergio Il Patriarca Onlus, that helps troubled children and elderly people in need. Please visit both the winemaker’s website: www.montenidoli.com, and her foundation; http://www.sergiothepatriarch.org

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with goat cheese, avocado salad

Tasted: 8 Dec 2014

Best Buy and Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

HESS COLLECTION 19 BLOCK MOUNTAIN CUVÉE 2010, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California, United States

06 Saturday Dec 2014

Posted by in Red Wines, Top Picks

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Hess

Cost: $37.95 Cayman Islands, $49.95 LCBO
Grape Variety: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 11% Syrah, 6% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga, Cayman Islands or LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Hess Collection
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Silky smooth and yummy, but that’s the technical term

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, stewed plums, blueberry, raspberry, espresso, tobacco leaves, cherry tobacco, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and pencil shavings with suede on the finish. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with grilled sirloin served with roasted baby potatoes drizzled with aged balsamic.

Tasted: 6 Dec 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5