BV BEAUROUGE 2010, Napa Valley, California, United States

13 Friday Jun 2014

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BV

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Syrah, Touriga National, Tempranillo & Charbono (Bonarda)
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beaulieu Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Smooth as silk with a plethora of flavours

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, bramble fruit, licorice, anise, cassis, sage, dates, fennel, coffee, figs and leather. Medium+ body with smooth tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Despite the high alcohol this wine is not jammy

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with coffee crusted pork tenderloin.

Tasted: 7 June 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 363531

STELLER’S JAY 2008 BRUT, Méthode Classique VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

13 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Steller's Jay
Cost: $25.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sumac Ridge, Constellation Brands
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. 

A lighter vintage style Champagne that’s easy to drink and it’s good

Positives: This creamy sparkling wine features light toast, brioche, Anjou pear, baked apple, pink grapefruit and lemon filling. Medium body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged en triage for a minimum 3 years, then hand riddled and disgorged.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or and pair it with oyster Rockefeller.

Tasted: 8 June 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 264879

ZD PINOT NOIR 2010, Carneros, California, United States

29 Thursday May 2014

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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zd

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+

CHAMPAGNE HENRIOT BRUT SOUVERAIN NV, Reims, Champagne, France

28 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Henriot

Cost: $56.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Champagne
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: France
Region: Reims
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henriot
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep straw in colour, a medium to medium+ intense nose with fine mousse.

This may be my new favourite Champagne

Positives: This complex smooth Champagne features medium toasted crostini, brioche, yeast, white flowers, lemon zest, orange, Anjou pears, green and yellow apples, ginger, honey and toasted almonds. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years and pair it with caprese salad made with Mozzarella di Bufala.

Tasted: 28 May 2014

Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

LCBO: 959643

DOMAINE SERENE YAMHILL CUVÉE 2009, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States

28 Wednesday May 2014

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Domaine

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+

ANTICA VITE PINOT NERO 2012, Pavia, Lombardy, Italy

28 Wednesday May 2014

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Pinot Pavia

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+

VILLA ALMADI VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO 2011, DOC, Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy

28 Wednesday May 2014

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valoplicella-almadi

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+

FOLIE À DEUX CHARDONNAY 2009, Napa Valley, California, United States

26 Monday May 2014

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Folie a deux

Cost: $18.99 Cayman ($10.99 Sale until end of May 2014)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A nice non aggressive Napa Chard and for $11 you can’t lose

Positives: This wine features light oak, lemon, green apple, dill and toffee. Medium to medium+ body with soft tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: 1. This wine is better after decanting as it brings out more of the tertiary aromas such as toffee. 2. Last year Folie à Deux made Napa Valley Chard. Their 2010 comes from Sonoma with a new label.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with sweet and sour cucumber salad.

Tasted: 26 May 2014

Best Buy

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

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

 

CATTAIL CREEK CHARDONNAY 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Ontario, Canada

26 Monday May 2014

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Cattail Creek

Cost: $20.25
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cattail Creek Family Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

An easy drinking and quality Chard from a small Ontario winery

Positives: This wine features light buttered toasted oak, pineapple, lemon, dill, mandarin and peach pit. Medium+ body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat from the 13.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: I like their new labels

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Milano.

Tasted: 20 May 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: 348987

TWENTY BENCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Napa Valley, California, United States

26 Monday May 2014

Posted by in Red Wines

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Twenty Bench

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance $24.00)
Grape Variety: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot,
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Twenty Bench
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A juicy and complex wine from Napa

Positives: This wine features cedar, black currants, plum, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, cassis, tobacco, spinach and leather. Medium+ body and tannins with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Don’t be confused with the Ontario winery of the same name. This winery celebrated 10 years in 2010.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with parmesan crusted sirloin steak.

Tasted: 21 May 2014

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

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

LCBO: 319145