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

23 Saturday Jan 2016

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

INNISKILLIN OKANAGAN ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

11 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Inniskillin BC

Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin Estates
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A spicy Chard that has lots of character & quality for under $15

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, MacIntosh apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I really like Inniskillin’s Niagara Peninsula Chard, same year, reviewed by me and this one takes it by a nose.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken with Creamy Dill Sauce.

Tasted: 6 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 423236

MENGER-KRUG ROSÉ BRUT NV, Rheinhessen, Germany

11 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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menger-krug-rose-sekt-brut-pfalz-germany-10000679

Cost: $28.50 (Cayman Dollars)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Tortuga Fine Wines & Spirits
Country: Germany
Region: Rheinhessen
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Menger-Krug
Alcohol: U/K% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting Sekt, not a traditional rosé sparkling wine

Description: Light copper in colour with a medium nose. This wine features yeast, strawberry, apricot, passion fruit, orange candy slices and coconut on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Note: Slightly oxidized, but unsure if it’s the bottle or the style

Interesting: Fermented in the bottle

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with spicy tomato omelette.

Tasted: 11 January 2016

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 Total: 17+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

BERONIA ELABORACIÓN ESPECIAL TEMPRANILLO 2012, DOC Rioja, Spain

07 Thursday Jan 2016

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Beronia

Cost: $15.95 (Sale until 31 Jan 2016: $13.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja style that’s smooth and delicious at a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features sandalwood, strawberry, dark cherry, pomegranate, grilled red peppers, cloves, cinnamon, cigar box, oregano, vanilla and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14% alcohol.

Interesting Note: My first experience with this wine was in the Cayman Islands. Sadly, until now it wasn’t available at the LCBO. Today it’s on their general list.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Lamb Chops in Rosemary Garlic Marinade.

Tasted: 2 January 2016

Best Buy (Amazing Buy at the sale price)

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 426981

WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Austalia

03 Sunday Jan 2016

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Wolf Blass

Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until 3 Jan 2016 $13.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Longhorne Creek, McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wolf Blass
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Commercial style Cab from Aussie land

Description: Dark purple to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features oak, cherry pie, ripe blueberries, plums, licorice, chocolate and vanilla. Full body average with light tannins, average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: A little too jammy and sweet for my taste

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Braised Pork Chops topped with a spicy grilled fruit salsa.

Tasted: 28 Dec 2015

Score: 8+/10, Value: 8+/10 (Sale: 8.5/10) Total: 16.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3+

LCBO: 251876