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

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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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

JOSH PINOT NOIR 2013, California, United States

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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pinot

Cost: $19.99 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced, juicy & easy drinking that’s above average for a general Californian Pinot under $20

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense. This wine features dark cherry, strawberry, oak spice and chocolate. Medium+ body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: Chill the wine to 15 C

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with corned beef brisket.

Tasted: 16 March 2015

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

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

ACROBAT PINOT NOIR 2012, Oregon, United States

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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Acrobat

Cost: $17.99 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Tortuga
Country: France
Region: Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: King Estates
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

This Pinot achieves an all too rare goal in this day and age, delivering a high quality, Oregon Pinot Noir at an affordable price

Description: Medium to light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense. This juicy wine features pine, cranberry, wild strawberry, rhubarb, autumn forest smells, cinnamon & cloves. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with slow smoked ham served with mango and braised sweet onion.

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: 11 March 2015

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

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

WILLIAM HILL NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2013, Napa Valley, California, United States

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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

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chardonnay[1]_0

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: William Hill Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently one of my favourite Napa Chards for under $30

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, mango, pineapple, green and yellow apples, peach, dill, ginger, oak spice, caramel and limestone. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with sweet and spicy ginger chicken wings.

Tasted: 6 March 2015

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 988840

INAMA VIN SOAVE CLASSICO 2013, DOC Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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lab_Vin_Soave

Cost: $18.59 (Cayman Islands funds)
Grape Variety: Garganega
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Soave Classico, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inama
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Good balance of crispness and creaminess as a result of the malolactic fermentation

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense. This wine features peach, pear, apricot, elder flower, chalk and sweet almond on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with citrus and mango marinated conch.

Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for suggesting it

Best Buy

Tasted: 16 March 2015

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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

14 Saturday Mar 2015

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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

ARMAND DE BRIGNAC (ACE OF SPADES) BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France

12 Thursday Mar 2015

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

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Armand

Cost: $260 Cayman Islands ($299.95 LCBO which is currently out of stock)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier & Chardonnay
Category: Champagne
Location Tortuga
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cattiers
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nothing but the best! Smooth as silk

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and very fine mousse. This complex Champagne features brioche, lemon pith, honeysuckle, toffee, sweet potatoes, butter cream, peach, kiwi, ginger, orange, limestone and smokey notes reminiscent of Oolong tea. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Made from 2003, 2005 & 2006 vintages

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Caviar

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

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

REDSTONE CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by in Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Redstone

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Redstone Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

If you like grapefruit, you’ll love this wine

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features grapefruit, lemon, green apple, pear and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Too much sourness

Interesting Note: This wine was aged in 12 months in French oak, yet on taste very little or no oak detected. I may have had a dud.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with snapper ceviche.

Tasted: 4 March 2015

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

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

LCBO: 398966

MAGNOTTA MOSCATO SUPERIORE CHARMAT METHOD NV, VQA, Ontario, Canada

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Moscato

Cost: $8.15
Grape Variety: Moscato
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I would put this Canadian Moscato against the best Italian ones any day

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse, which I found pleasantly surprising. This sparkling wine features a beautiful white flower and peach nose followed by sweet peach, orange, pink grapefruit and juicy Spy apple. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Not overly sweet, very pleasant

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with orange juice or peach juice to make some excellent Mimosas or Bellinis

Tasted: 1 March 2015

Amazing and Best Buy

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

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

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

04 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by in White Wines

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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