CINQUEPASSI VENETO ROSSO 2010, IGT Veneto, Italy

26 Monday May 2014

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

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CinquePassi-500x500 (1)

Cost: $16.00 Cayman
Grape Variety: 60% Merlot, 30% Ancillota, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: The Tasting Room, Grand Cayman
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Almadi
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Retasted 4 June 2015, and there are some different notes now but the score is the same. This wine features plums, prune pit, flan, espresso, bramble, rhubarb and tobacco leaf.

An easy drinking everyday wine that has good quality

Positives: This wine features dark cherry, plum, blackberry, oyster mushrooms and some leather. Medium to medium+ body with soft tannins, good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: No producer.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with pasta with beef and tomato pasta.

Tasted: 25 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+

TORRESELLA PROSECCO NV, DOC Veneto, Italy

25 Sunday May 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Torresella

Cost: $19.99 Cayman
Grape Variety: Prosecco (Glera)
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto, Italy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Torresella
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse.

This Prosecco has depth and character

Positives: This wine features a creamy texture with pear, lavender, honeycomb, white raspberry and almonds. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with raspberry parfait.

Tasted: 25 May 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

SAINT CLAIR BLOCK 15 PINOT NOIR 2010, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

20 Tuesday May 2014

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

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Block 15

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Consignment
Country: New Zealand
Region: Lower Waihopai Valley, Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Saint Clair Family Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour with an intense nose.

My favourite wine at the New Zealand Wine Tasting in Toronto

Positives: The nose on this Pinot is simply amazing, so much I wish I had an oxygen mask with the aromas being pumped into it. This wine features pine, purple lilacs, black cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, smoked ambers and cardamom. Medium body with  gently tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: Not yet imported by LCBO

Interesting Point: Sourced from a single vineyard by the mouth of the Waihopai Valley from clones115, and 777.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with braised slow cooked Bison short ribs.

Tasted: 8 May 2014

Top Pick

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

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

RUTHERFORD RANCH CHARDONNAY 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States

20 Tuesday May 2014

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RR Chard

Cost: $20.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rutherford Ranch
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A solid Chard from Napa that’s at the $20 range

Positives: This wine features mild toasted oak, lemon rind, green apple, light buttered popcorn, grapefruit with a hint of pith, guava and shale. Medium+ body with good acidity & a long length.

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

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with chicken Parmesan.

Tasted: 13 May 2014

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

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

LCBO: 136382

McMANIS CHARDONNAY 2012, River Junction, California, United States

20 Tuesday May 2014

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McManis

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: River Junction, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: McManis Family Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

A smooth Chard from California that’s not over !4% alcohol, just wish it was under $15

Positives: This wine features light oak, caramelized apple, lemon candy, pear, peach, and pineapple. Medium+ body with average acidity and length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Brie and honey.

Tasted: 15 May 2014

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 16.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 265983

RODNEY STRONG PINOT NOIR 2011, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

15 Thursday May 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Rodney Strong
 
Cost: $24.95 (On sale $22.95 until May 25, 2014
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium intense nose.A surprisingly mellow Pinot considering the 14.5% alcoholPositives: This wine features pine, cherry, beets, strawberry & Christmas cake. Medium body with mild tannins, fairly good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: There’s a little heat from the 14.5%

Interesting Point: Rodney Strong wines are consistently good to excellent quality

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Ahi Tuna.

Tasted: 7 May 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 954834

HESS COLLECTION 19 BLOCK CUVÉE 2009, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California, United States

15 Thursday May 2014

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Hess

Cost: $47.95
Grape Variety: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 9% Syrah, 7% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hess Collection Winery
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby with a medium+ intense nose.

This is an investment wine, meaning it should blossom in 5-7 years

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrants, sage, pencil lead, turmeric, cassis, mocha, leather & spinach. Medium+ body with green tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat from the 14.2% alcohol

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour. This wine is worth the $10 extra over Hess’s Allomi (reviewed earlier)

Drink now or in the next 12 years on its own or pair it with Kansas City Strip steak.

Tasted: 6 May 2014

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

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

LCBO: 18879

CASTELLO BANFI BELNERO 2010, IGT Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

15 Thursday May 2014

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CB_Belnero_Label-270x350

Cost: $29.95
Grape Variety: Sangiovese with some Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Montalcino, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castello Banfi
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby with some garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A good wine but would have been a great wine if it wasn’t for the heat coming from the high alcohol

Positives: This wine features cedar, sour cherry, plums, rosemary, basil, espresso, tobacco leaves, spinach & leather. Medium body with dry to astringent tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: There’s a lot of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Needs at least an hour to decant.

Drink now or in the next 15 years on its own or pair it with veal parmigiana.

Tasted: 5 May 2014

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

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

LCBO: 332635

CAMPO VIEJO TEMPRANILLO ROSÉ 2013, DO Rioja, Spain

06 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Rose

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Rosé Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintage
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Bodegas Campo Viejo
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light cranberry in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Still one of my favourite rosés

Positives: This wine features raspberry, watermelon, sweet cherry tomatoes, pink grapefruit, kumquat & roses on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although I really like this vintage, the 2012 was better. Please see my earlier review of the 2012 vintage.

Drink now or over the next year on its own or pair it with Porchetta.

Tasted: 1 May 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 175620

TAWSE SKETCHES ROSÉ 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Rosés

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Sketches

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Predominantly Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tawse Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Salmon in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

There are some elements of this wine that I like and others that I don’t care for.

Positives: This wine features rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry and plum. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: Some sulphur dioxide

Drink now on its own or pair it with sweet potato Burritos.

Tasted: 3 May 2014

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 172643