DOMAINE CARNEROS BRUT BY TAITTINGER 2008, Method Champenoise, Carneros, California, United States

15 Sunday Dec 2013

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

≈ Leave a comment


Carneros

Cost: $33.99 CI
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Carneros
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose & fine mousse.

If you don’t want to pay triple the cost of a Taittinger vintage Champagne, yet have similar style & notes, this is one of the best.

Positives: This complex yet very smooth sparkling wine features yeast, lemon, brioche, Anjou pear, baked apples, tangerine, seaweed & wet stone. Medium body with good tannins and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 3 years in the bottle before being released.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with truffle oil Parmigiano French fries.

Tasted: 15 Dec 2013

Top Pick

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

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

MARQUIS DE LATOUR BRUT NV, Loire Valley, France

12 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


3258316030229_web

Cost: $16.99 CI (On sale $12.99 for the month of Dec 2013)
Grape Variety: Ugni Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Remy Pennier
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and plentiful mousse.

Well this was a nice surprise. Crisp, clean & easy to drink & at $13 it’s an amazing buy.

Positives: This sparkling features honeydew melon, lime, green apples, peach, pear & lemon grass. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with arugula and cherry tomato salad with lemon and chili olive oil vinaigrette.

Tasted: 12 Dec 2013

Amazing Buy when it’s under $13, and Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

THE OJAI VINEYARD 2005, Santa Barbara, California, United States

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

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

≈ Leave a comment


Ojai

Cost: $19.99 CI
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Santa Barbara County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Ojai Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Inky ruby with purple tinge in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

What an amazing wine that I got for under $20 in the Cayman Islands. LCBO had it in 2011 for $39.99

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, plums, dark cherry, tar, coffee beans, violets, cigar box, peppers, burnt rubber, ripe tamarind, tarragon, licorice & leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lucky I bought out the store with this wine.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with ragù alla Bolognese with garlic bread.

Tasted: 10 Dec 2013

Top Pick & Best Buy (in Cayman)

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2010, DOCG, Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Vino Nobile

Cost: $21.99 CI
Grape Variety: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Montepulciano, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cecchi
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

A full flavoured Sangiovese that won’t disappoint. Thank you to Roberto from Blackbeard’s for this recommendation.

Positives: The wine features mild oak, sour cherry, thyme, rosemary, leather & Shitake mushrooms. Medium body with high tannins & acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Decant for an hour before serving. LCBO had the 2009 this year, but all sold out, so hopefully the 2010 will be coming soon.

Drink now or over the next 7 years. This wine is meant for food, so pair it ground beef, thyme, tomato & shallot sauce over angel hair.

Tasted: 10 Dec 2013

Best Buy

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

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

THE CRUSHER VIOGNIER 2012, Clarksburg, California, United States

09 Monday Dec 2013

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

≈ Leave a comment


the crusher

Cost: $21.99 CI ($16.95 LCBO)
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Blackbeard’s
Country: United States
Region: Clarksburg, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Crusher Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

One of the truest Viognier outside Condrieu. Thanks to Roberto from Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands for this recommendation

Positives: This full flavoured wine features Anjou pear, kumquat, green & yellow apple, apricot, peach, ginger, pineapple, green mango, honeydew melon & coconut. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The up & coming appellation of Clarksburg is surrounded by the cooling waterway of the Sacramento River Delta providing a signature marine climate. The clay & loam soils are rich, fed by runoff from the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains, ensuring healthy fruit. Clarksburg encompasses 56,900 acres over an area 16 miles long & 8 miles wide. Warm summer days and cool nights typify the climate during the long, dry growing season.” (Crusher Winery)

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

Tasted: 9 Dec 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 361964

JEAN VINCENT 2011 SANCERRE, AOC Sancerre, Loire Valley, France

08 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


jean-vincent-sancerre-loire-france-10455038

Cost: $29.99 CI  
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Sancerre, Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jean Vincent Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. 

A full flavoured Sauvignon Blanc that will not disappoint

Positives: This wine features lime, wakame, Asian pear, gooseberry, grapefruit, green apples, limestone and a hint of grassiness on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Average price in US is $16 which would make it a best buy.  

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with conch ceviche.

Tasted: 8 Dec 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LUNETTA PROSECCO NV, DOC Trentino, Italy

07 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


lunetta_prosecco_low_res

Cost: $22.99 CI (Sale for December 2013 $16.99)
Grape Variety: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Trentino
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cavit Winery
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and medium mousse.

A simple Prosecco that I would use in a Bellini

Positives: This sparkling wine features Easter lily & white tea on the nose with green apples, lime & peach on the palate. Medium light body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Price range should be around $10

Drink now on its own or pair it with poached eggs on a bed of wilted greens.

Tasted: 7 Dec 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

MT. ROSA PINOT NOIR 2008, Central Otago, New Zealand

07 Saturday Dec 2013

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

≈ Leave a comment


Mt Rosa

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance: $22.75)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Crossroads LCBO
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ferrari Carano Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A lighter style Pinot that’s easy to drink, maybe too easy? If you’re not careful you may be into your 2nd bottle without even realizing it. At the clearance price it’s a steal as it’s truly worth $40

Positives: The wine features pine, candy apples, cranberry, dried herbs, strawberry and the smell of burning fall leaves. Light body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with duck paté

Tasted: 8 Nov 2013

Top Pick

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

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

VERGENOEGD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006, Stellenbosch, South Africa

07 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


VERGENOEGD_web

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Faure Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Well aged Cab for under $25

Positives: This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, anise, iodine, pencil shavings, dark cherry, sage, arugula and leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This Cab comes from one of the oldest vineyards dating back to 1696.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with grilled T-bone steak.

Tasted: 28 Nov 2013

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

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

LCBO: 68445

PENINSULA RIDGE BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Peninsula Ridge

Cost: $15.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

My new favourite, everyday, easy drinking Chard that’s under $20

Positives: This isn’t a complex Chard, but what it offers is very pleasant. The wine features integrated oak, sweet corn, lemon candy, Macintosh apple, pear, peach & nutmeg. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The nose is better than the taste.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops.

Tasted: 1 Dec 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 211490