Cost: $51.99 Cayman (On sale in May for $34.99)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Carneros
Format: 750 mL
Producer: ZD Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Smooth as silk

Positives: This wine features light cedar, boysenberry, bramble fruit, cloves, Kirsch and roasted butternut squash on the finish. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years and pair it with pulled pork.

Tasted: 29 May 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 8/10 (Sale price: 8.5/10) Total: 17/20

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

Cost: $34.99 Cayman
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Serene
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium light garnet to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Makes me nostalgic for Christmas.

Positives: This wine features pine, cranberry, cherry, strawberry, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and tobacco leaf. Medium body with soft tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding.

Tasted: 26 May 2014

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

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

Cost: $18.00 Cayman
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: The Tasting Room, Grand Cayman
Country: Italy
Region: Pavia, Lombardy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antica Vite
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Easy drinking but doesn’t have Pinot Noir characteristics

Positives: This simple wine features plums, cherry, thyme and chocolate. Medium body with soft tannins, good acidity & an average length.

Negatives: Over priced, should be under $9

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ chips.

Tasted: 27 May 2014

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 7/10, Total: 15.5/20

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

Cost: $29.00 Cayman
Grape Variety: 45% Corvinone 30% Corvina, 20% Rondinella 5% Molinara
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: The Tasting Room, Grand Cayman
Country: Italy
Region: Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Almadi
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A good wine, just wish it was in the under $25 category

Positives: This wine features plums, raisins, dark cherry, sage, dates, fennel, coffee and leather. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room for recommending this wine and the delicious aged steaks.

Drink now or in the next 5 years and pair it with BBQ aged steak seasoned with traditional italian spice rub from Vincenta’s deli.

Tasted: 26 May 2014

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

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

Cost: $36.99 Cayman (sale price May 2014: $23.99)
Grape Variety: 53% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott
Country: France
Region: Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Haut-Beausèphe
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A good wine to open up at a dinner party in which you like the people

Positives: This wine features beautiful smoked red and black fruits on nose. The nose and taste has cedar, blackberry, plums, dark cherry, raspberry, mocha, spinach, Medium+ body with green tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Interesting Point: Being a left bank Bordeaux but having more Merlot than Cab in its blend.

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

Tasted: 24 May 2014

Best Buy at sale price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4