MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES ZINFANDEL NV, California, United States

25 Saturday Jul 2015

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Magnotta Zin

Cost: $10.15
Grape Variety: 75% Zinfandel, 25% other red blends
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Well, this is impressive for $10!

Description: Medium bright ruby in colour with an intense perfume nose. This wine features violets, fresh carnations, lavender, ripe tamarind, plums, raisins, cloves, red and black raspberries, dark cherry and red currants. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting note: Don’t think I’ve had a quality Zin for $10 until now, plus only 13.5% alcohol? Double impressive!

Drink now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with sweet and spicy baby back ribs.

Tasted: 17 July 2015

Amazing Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

No. 99 WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Friday Jul 2015

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Wayne Gretzky

Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wayne Gretzky
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

The right glassware is key to enjoying this wine

Description: Medium to light bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. Not a complex wine but what it does have is full flavour that features hints of lemon, Golden Delicious apples, pineapple and kiwi. Full body with average acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried this wine in warm climate style Chard glass, and all though it had flavour it was flat, lacking acidity. In the cooler style glass the acid was better making this wine very pleasant, and why it’s a Best Buy.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with grilled calamari with tomato citrus salad.

Tasted: 16 July 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 63826

DECOY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Sonoma County, California, United States

12 Sunday Jul 2015

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Decoy

Cost: $33.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duckhorn Wine Company
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth & delicious

Description: Medium+ ruby to garner in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, sweet cherry, turmeric, plums, black currants, eucalyptus, Allspice, cola, espresso, tobacco leaves and cigar box. Full body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with coffee crusted beef tenderloin.

Tasted: 9 July 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 186171

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

WOLF BLASS GREY LABEL SHIRAZ 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia

04 Saturday Jul 2015

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Grey Label

Cost: $35 (On sale $30 until 21 June 2015)
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wolf Blass
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a good solid, complex Shiraz, powerful but not jammy

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, blueberry, plums, black currants, peppercorns, eucalyptus, vanilla, Allspice, cola, espresso, tobacco leaves and cigar box. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with spicy barbecued leg of lamb with rosemary and mint sauce.

Tasted: 20 June 2015

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price 9/10), Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 390872

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

12 Friday Jun 2015

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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

ERATH PINOT NOIR 2013, Oregon, United States

11 Thursday Jun 2015

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Erath

Cost: $23.55 CI (Cayman Islands) $24.95 LCBO
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands or LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Erath Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant Pinot bursting with pomegranate

Description: Light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, pomegranate, cherry, plums, strawberry, rhubarb and hints of sage. Medium to light body with mild tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Maybe too tart for some

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with salted smokehouse almonds.

Tasted: 8 June 2015

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

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

LCBO: 394718

THE NED SAUVIGNON BLANC 2011, Waihopai River, Marlborough, New Zealand

11 Thursday Jun 2015

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The_Ned_Sauvignon_Blanc_web

Cost: $19.99 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: New Zealand
Region: Waihopai River, Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marisco Vineyards
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich Sauv Blanc at a great price, truly delightful, this one can compete with the best

Description: Straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features lime, passionfruit, kiwi, pink grapefruit, gooseberry, peach, seaweed and honeydew melon. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Check out their winemaker’s web site; http://www.thened.co.nz

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with seared pork loin in mint sauce.

Tasted: 11 June 2015

Best Buy

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

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

CHARLES DE FÈRE CUVÉE JEAN-LOUIS BLANC DE BLANCS NV CHARMAT METHOD, France

10 Wednesday Jun 2015

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CF_CuveeJeanLouisBlancdeBlanc_Bottleshot_175_657

Cost: $18.99 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: 40% Chenin Blanc, 20% Ugni Blanc & 40% other
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles de Fère
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A sparkling wine made in a non AOC Charmat method that has similar styling to a vintage Champagne but at less than half it’s price; Impressive

Description: Deep straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This yeasty delight features toasted brioche, baked apples, white peach, apricot, lemon drops, Anjou pear, fennel and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Jerk Chicken Hash and Fried Eggs served with Callaloo, Breakfast Potatoes, Peppers and Onions.

Tasted: 10 June 2015

Best Buy

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

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

ESSER CHARDONNAY 2012, Monterey County, California, United States

08 Monday Jun 2015

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chardonnay-large

Cost: $18.99 CI (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Tortuga, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Esser
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Monterey County Chard for under $20

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon rind, pineapple, peach, oak spice, ginger, pink grapefruit, passion fruit and limestone. Medium+ body body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Slight bitterness on the finish

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Pineapple Chicken with Ginger and Bok Choy.

Tasted: 8 June 2015

Best Buy

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

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