MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES PINOT BLANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2015

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Magnotta Pinot Blanc

Cost: $9.15 (On sale April 2015, $8.45)
Grape Variety: Pinot Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

If you’re looking for something different in whites that’s Canadian, try this versatile crisp wine.

Description: Light gold in colour with a low intense nose. This wine features lemon rind, passion fruit, honeydew melon and grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Not too many 2013 left as 2014 is now on their shelves.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Orange, Walnut, Gorgonzola and Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette.

Tasted: 7 April 2015

Best Buy

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

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

GLORIA FERRER CHARDONNAY 2011, Carneros, California, United States

07 Tuesday Apr 2015

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Gloria Ferrer

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $18.75)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gloria Ferrer Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful, balanced, good quality Carneros Chard for under $25 & under 14% alcohol

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toast, lemon rind, oak spice, Anjou pear, green apple, peach, clove, nutmeg, pink grapefruit, vanilla bean and a touch of caramel. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

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

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Olive Leaf Pasta with Nutmeg Cream Sauce.

Tasted: 31 March 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 83345

KEINT-HE VOYAGEUR PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Sunday Apr 2015

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Keint-He

Cost: $18.00
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Keint-He Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, simple, but very nice. One of the best Canadian Pinot’s for under $20

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, nutmeg and light earthy notes. Medium body and tannins with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Roasted Pork Loin with Raspberry Chipotle Glaze.

Tasted: 3 April 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 373407

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

31 Tuesday Mar 2015

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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

BARNETT VINEYARDS TINA MARIA VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2010, Green Valley, Russian River Valley, California, United States

23 Monday Mar 2015

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

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Barnett Tina Maria

Cost: $44.99
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Total Wines, Florida
Country: United States
Region: Green Valley, Russian River Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Barnett Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

There’s yummy and there’s YUMMY, this is the later. A good wine to have on a special occasion

Description: Light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features pine, purple lilacs, sultana, dark cherry, pomegranates, raspberry, autumn leaves, bacon, pickled beets and cherry pipe tobacco. Full body with light tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of my favourites, if not the favourite Pinot Noir

Drink now or cellar it for another 7 years on its own or pair it with Rosemary roasted duck.

Tasted: 22 March 2015

Top Pick

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

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

THE CRUSHER WILSON VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2013, Clarksburg, California, United States

22 Sunday Mar 2015

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the crusher

Cost: $16.99 (Cayman Islands funds) $16.95 LCBO
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands or LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Clarksburg, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Crusher Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great alternative to Chard with a balance of citric & tropical fruit with creaminess on the finish

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, apricot, mango, green apples, lime and chalk. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

2012 Vintage reviewed in Dec 2013 and just as good but now it’s $5 less expensive

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with chicken roulades stuffed with mango chutney and Brie

Tasted: 22 March 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 361964

TINAZZI VALDOBBIANDENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE BRUT NV, DOCG Valdobbiandene, Veneto, Italy

22 Sunday Mar 2015

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Tinazzi

Cost: $24.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Valdobbiadene, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Casa Vitivinicola Tinazzi
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but full flavoured Prosecco

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features lots of peach and pear followed by cantaloupe and green heirloom tomatoes. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with poached eggs on a bed of kale and tomatoes

Tasted: 22 March 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

SOLANTICO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2012, Doc, Puglia, Italy

21 Saturday Mar 2015

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PrimitivoSolanticoBottiglia72dpi-500x500

Cost: $18.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Primitivo
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Almadi
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A lighter style Primitivo that’s well balanced & juicy

Description: Bright deep ruby in colour with a medium intense. This wine features light cedar, ripe blackberry, raisins, plums, dark cherry, violets and peppers. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room for recommending this wine

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with mushroom, pepperoni & tomato pizza

Tasted: 18 March 2015

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

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

LUGANA 2014, DOC Veneto, Italy

21 Saturday Mar 2015

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Immagini 041

Cost: $18.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Trebbiano di Luganda (Turbiana)
Category: White Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Lake Garda, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Campagnola
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, refreshing & versatile wine

Description: Yellow straw in colour with a medium+ intense. This wine features lychee, gooseberry, pink grapefruit, Bartlett pear, Logan berry and limestone on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Interesting grape, interesting bottle, both of which I really like. Unique grape with notes that are a blend between Sauvignon Blanc & Viognier

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room for recommending this wine

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with German potato salad

Tasted: 19 March 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ALMADI BARDOLINO CHIARETTO ROSÉ 2013, DOCG Lake Garda, Bardolino Charetto, Veneto, Italy

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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rose

Cost: $16.00 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Corvina, Rondinella & Molinara
Category: Rosé Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Lake Garda, Bardolino Charetto, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Almadi
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Rosé tasted. Balanced, substance, versatile & just plain yummy

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense. This complex wine features the fragrant bouquet of cherry blossoms, with strawberry, tangerine, Spy apple, white cranberry and pineapple on the palette. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I tried this in several different wine glasses; all were slightly different and yet all very good.

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room for recommending this wine

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with chicken spicy Thai chicken soup

Tasted: 17 March 2015

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5