ANTECH HÉRITAGE CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX BRUT MILLÉSIMÉ 2011, Limoux, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

07 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Antech

Cost: $25.95 Cayman Islands
Grape Variety: 60% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin, 10% Mauzac, 10% Pinot
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antech Limoux
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking sparkling that is very well balanced

Description: Straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This sparkling wine features lemon, pink grapefruit, ginger and honeydew melon. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: If you like Ginger Ale, you should like this

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with maple smoked bacon.

Tasted: 7 Dec 2014

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

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

HESS COLLECTION 19 BLOCK MOUNTAIN CUVÉE 2010, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California, United States

06 Saturday Dec 2014

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Hess

Cost: $37.95 Cayman Islands, $49.95 LCBO
Grape Variety: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 11% Syrah, 6% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga, Cayman Islands or LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Hess Collection
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Silky smooth and yummy, but that’s the technical term

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, stewed plums, blueberry, raspberry, espresso, tobacco leaves, cherry tobacco, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and pencil shavings with suede on the finish. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with grilled sirloin served with roasted baby potatoes drizzled with aged balsamic.

Tasted: 6 Dec 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

PAHLMEYER JAYSON PINOT NOIR 2005, Sonoma County, California, United States

06 Saturday Dec 2014

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

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jayson Pinot

Cost: $78.55 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pahlmeyer
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth elegance

Description: Cloudy medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features ripe sea grapes on the nose with strawberry tarts, bramble fruit, rhubarb, bergamot, smoked bacon, roasted fennel, black cherry, toffee and Brazilian coffee on the finish. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity, the alcohol is well integrated and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for suggesting this wine to my sister-in-law to give to me as my birthday present.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with mushroom and speck brick oven pizza.

Tasted: 5 Dec 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

PERRIER-JOUËT BELLE EPOQUE BRUT 2004, Ac Épernay, Champagne, France

06 Saturday Dec 2014

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Perrier-Jouet

Cost: $199.95
Grape Variety: 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 5% Meunier
Category: Champagne
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Épernay, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Perrier-Jouët
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic sophistication

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex Champagne features toasted brioche lemon, white peach, pears, walnuts, marzipan and sweet spices. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 20 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point oysters

Tasted: 4 Dec 2014 (My 6th Year Wedding Anniversary)

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 135798

KRUG GRANDE CUVÉE BRUT NV, Ac Champagne, France

04 Thursday Dec 2014

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Krug Grande

Cost: $277.95
Grape Variety: 44% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay, 19% Meunier
Category: Champagne
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Krug
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Distinctive, elegant, sophisticated & amazing

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex Champagne features toasted brioche layered in Kerrygold butter followed by jellied fruits, marzipan, golden apples, hazelnuts, almonds, tangerines, barley sugar, gingerbread, honey & sweet spices. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Every Krug after 2011 has a specific ID that you can check for the bottles detail at www.krug.com. This bottle’s ID is 411048

Drink now or in the next 20 years on its own or pair it with chicken Brûlée Pâté

Tasted: 4 Dec 2014 (My 6th Year Wedding Anniversary)

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 38562

DRY CREEK VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, United States

23 Sunday Nov 2014

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Dry Creek Sauv

Cost: $27.95
Grape Variety: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5%Cabernet Franc
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dry Creek Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice juicy, full flavoured wine

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, black cherry, raspberry, blueberry, dried thyme, cassis, anise, espresso, bell peppers, arugula, pencil shavings, turmeric and leather. Medium+ body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with thyme glazed lamb shank served with turmeric saffron and pear tomato salsa.

Tasted: 14 Nov 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 642207

13th STREET CUVÉE ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE NV, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Rosés, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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13 Street

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

It’s not a full flavour sparkler but still pleasant

Description: Rustic red brick in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features cherry, pomegranate, dried strawberry, pink grapefruit and a light yeastiness to it. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The first bottle I had to return as it was oxidized and lactic

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with roasted salmon with shallot grapefruit sauce.

Tasted: 16 Nov 2014

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

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

LCBO: 147504

MAGNOTTA CARMENÈRE INTERNATIONAL SERIES 2012, Chile

23 Sunday Nov 2014

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

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Carmeniere

Cost: $8.95 (Sale price Nov 2014: $8.15)
Grape Variety: Carmenère
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Chile
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A very pleasant and easy drinking wine

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, plum, licorice and Allspice. Medium to medium+ body with low tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with beef stew

Tasted: 16 Nov 2014

Best Buy

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

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

CONO SUR BICICLETA VIOGNIER 2014, Colchagua Valley, Chile

20 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by in Amazing Buys, White Wines

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Con Sur

Cost: $9.95 ($8.95 Sale until Nov 30, 2014)
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Still the best white for under $10

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features honeysuckle, apricots, peach pit, orange, ginger and anise. Medium to medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The 2014 is the best vintage I’ve tasted in Cono Sur’s Bicicleta Viognier. Taste double the price and gives you an indication what Condrieu taste like without spending $40+

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Lionfish Ceviche

Tasted: 17 Nov 2014

Amazing Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 64287

INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATE PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Rosés

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Inniskilin Pinot

Cost: $12.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured rosé that’s yummy

Description: Bright ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb, cherry and red pepper jam. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the Pinot Noir glass as it really accentuates all the flavours

Drink now or in the next year on its own or pair it with pork chop stuffed with sundried tomatoes

Tasted: 17 Nov 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 336461