GEN5 CHARDONNAY 2013, Lodi, California

26 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by in White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Gen5

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Lodi, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lange Family Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice Californian Chard that’s not overtly oaked or sweet, but balanced

Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, nectarine, and dragon fruit. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: none

Interesting Note: Gen5 was founded in 2007 by the fifth generation of the Lange family, who began their Lodi agricultural adventures in 1870, when their great-great-grandparents emigrated from Germany and began farming watermelons.

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Tuna and Wahoo Tartare with Avocado and Sesame dressing.

Tasted: 21 January 2016

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

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

LCBO: 441121

SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAND RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Maipo Valley, Chile

24 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Santa Rita

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Miapo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Santa Rita
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice Cab for a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrant, dark cherry, blackberry, tamarind, mint, tobacco, cassis, star anise, turmeric, cocoa and leather. Full body with green tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: none

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Braised Jerk Oxtail, served on Butterbean Puree with Tomato Pepper Jam.

Tasted: 22 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 275594

SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, DO Maipo Valley, Chile

24 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Santa Carolina

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Santa Carolina
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting & smooth

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with an intense nose. Primary features are cedar, blackcurrant & eucalyptus followed by blackberry, cassis, granite, cocoa, turmeric, leather and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: none

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Dry Aged Rib Eye with Red Wine Demi Glaze.

Tasted: 19 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 408658

MÉNAGE À TROIS 2014, California, United States

24 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Menage

Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until Jan 27, 2016: $12.95)
Grape: Zinfandel, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie À Deux Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, sweeter style California table wine but it has some substance

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features sweet oak, plums, raspberry jam, cherry and mocha. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: A touch too sweet for me

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Bone in Short Ribs with Caramelized Butternut Squash Medallions.

Tasted: 21 January 2016

Best Buy at sale price

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Sale: 9/10) Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 308007

AQUINAS PINOT NOIR 2013, North Coast, California, United States

23 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Aquinas

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: East Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Don Sebastian & Sons
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A sweet style Pinot

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features Christmas cake, Maraschino cherry, plums, coffee, nutmeg and violets on the nose. Full body with low tannins, low acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Way too sweet for me and some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: On the front label list this as from Napa & Sonoma County, which I find Atypical, but on the back label it’s listed as North Coast which I find sweeter Pinot Noirs

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Vietnamese Pulled Pork Sliders.

Tasted: 18 January 2016

Score: 8/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

LCBO: 277657

WOODWORK PINOT NOIR NO.7, 2013, North Coast, California, United States

21 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Woodwork

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Central Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Woodwork Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A sweeter style Pinot but does have some acidity & fruit to semi balance it

Description: Medium to light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features plums, cranberry, coffee, nutmeg and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with low tannins, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: A touch too sweet for me

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with Veal Cutlets with Plum Sauce.

Tasted: 18 January 2016

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

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

LCBO: 428839

LANZERAC CHARDONNAY 2013, Stellenbosch, South Africa

20 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Lanzerac

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lanzerac
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant & delicious Chard that shows like it’s double it’s cost

Description: Bright rich gold in colour with a medium nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon pie, peach, mango, oak spice, vanilla, crème brûlée and Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 13.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Lanzerac was established in 1692, is one of the oldest wineries in the Cape.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Medallions with Lemon Butter Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 18 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 971929

GAJA PIEVE SANTA RESTITUTA RENNINA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2006, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

20 Wednesday Jan 2016

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

≈ Leave a comment


Rennina

Cost: $117.99 (Cayman Dollars) Sale for January $80.99 [LCBO $179.95]
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Montalcino, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gaja
Alcohol: 15% Alcohol/Vol.

Is there something beyond delicious?

Description: Deep ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ nose. This complex wine features cedar, pine needles, wild cherry, cranberry, boysenberry, mulberry, roasted red peppers, roasted walnuts, white truffles, sage, leather, underbrush and purple lilac on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my sister-in-law; Tina for giving me this wine as my Christmas present

Drink now or in the next 15 of years on its own or pair it with prime rib au jus

Tasted: 14 January 2016

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 694397 (Currently not in stores)

BENZIGER CHARDONNAY 2013, Sonoma County, California, United States

15 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Benziger

Cost: $18.49 (Cayman Dollars) $19.95 Canadian
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Benziger
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice balance between fruit, spice & oak

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features lemon, green apples, peach, oak spice, ginger, dill, Lily on the nose and some creaminess on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and long length.

After 3 hours the wine really opened up, going from citric to tropical fruit and then some. The wine further featured mango, pineapple and caramel.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Certified sustainable grape growing program

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with Chicken with Brie and Caramelized Onions.

Tasted: 14 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 34777 (Currently 2013 not on the shelves yet)

VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN PINOT GRIS 2010, East Coast, New Zealand

13 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Villa Maria Pinot Gris

Cost: $18.59 (Cayman Dollars)
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman
Country: New Zealand
Region: East Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Maria
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, creamy & delicious

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ nose. This wine features honeysuckle, wakame, dragon fruit, lemon zest, yellow apple and Anjou pear. Medium+ body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try this New Zealand Pinot Gris instead of Sauvignon Blanc, you won’t be disappointed

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Poached Flounder in Orange Lemon Sauce.

Tasted: 13 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4