BUENA VISTA CHARDONNAY 2011, Carneros, California, United States

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Buena Vista

Cost: $23.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Buena Vista
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

An excellent Carneros Chard under $24 that’s not flabby or high in alcohol

Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak with light butter, lemon, pineapple, peach, Allspice, ginger, turn mangos and green apple. Full body with light tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 13.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: This wine has some tannin, and they have revamped the labels to make the bottle more appealing.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with crab Alfredo.

Tasted: 11 June 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 67405

S & M ROSATO 2013, DOC Algero, Sardinia, Italy

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by in Rosés

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Rosato

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Cannonau, Sangiovese
Category: Rosé wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: Italy
Region: Algero
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sella & Mosca
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium intense nose.

A nice easy going rosé for under $12

Positives: This wine features Rainier cherry, pink grapefruit and plums. Medium light body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Opportunity to experience a wine from Sardinia

Drink now or in the next year on its own or and pair it with Gazpacho.

Tasted: 12 June 2014

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

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

LCBO: 367417

DOMINI PLUS 2008, DOC Douro, Portugal

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

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

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Domini Plus

Cost: $39.95
Grape Variety: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz & Touriga Nacional
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: José Maria Da Fonseca
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Simply delicious

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, raspberry, licorice, blueberry, cassis, sage, raisins, fennel, coffee, figs and leather. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 13.5%

Interesting Point: Dominus Plus is probably my favourite Portuguese wine

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled T-bone steak.

Tasted: 9 June 2014

Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 343087

MORGAN HIGHLAND CHARDONNAY 2010, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, United States

13 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by in White Wines

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Morgan

Cost: $31.95 (Clearance price $25.60)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: United States
Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Morgan Winery
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright deep gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A smooth Chard with good fruit

Positives: This wine features medium toasted oak with lemon, buttered corn, pineapple, peach, Allspice, yellow apple, apricots and limestone. Full body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with chicken a la King.

Tasted: 13 June 2014

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price 9/10), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 953273

MEANDRO DO VALE MEÃO 2011, DOC Douro, Portugal

13 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Meandro

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: 35% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 27% Tinta Roriz, 3% Sousão, 3% Tinta Barroca, and 2% Tinta Cão
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: F. Olazabal & Filhos
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Danger Will Robinson, this is so good that it’s a 2 bottle night

Positives: This complex smooth wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, raspberry, mulberry, nectarine, licorice, thyme, raisins, mocha, dates and leather. Medium+ body with soft tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14%

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with Portuguese beef Cacoila.

Tasted: 10 June 2014

Top Pick and Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 244731

BV BEAUROUGE 2010, Napa Valley, California, United States

13 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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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

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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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+