CAPE LANDING ROSÉ, 2021, Margaret River, Australia

31 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $ 24.99 KYD
Grape: Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cape Landing
Alcohol: 12.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A unique 100% Syrah rosé made in Australia. Not complex but it’s light, bright & very pleasant to drink on its own or with food. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, Rainier Cherries, hint of cranberry, thyme & wet stone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: First Australian winery that I have come across that describe the grape used as Syrah vs Shiraz.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with summer fresh gazpacho.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 31, 2022

DECOY BRUT CUVÉE SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Champenoise, United States of America

27 Tuesday Dec 2022

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

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Cost: $28.99 KYD
Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Decoy
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Traditional Champagne grapes & traditionally made. Great taste, that’s easy to drink, especially when it’s almost ice cold & at half the price of the lowest priced Champagne wines. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw to light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, pear, white peach, lemon zest, green apples & limestone stone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Dosage with French oak barrel fermented Napa Valley Chardonnay.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with tuna tartare.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 26, 2022

BILLECART SALMON BRUT RÉSERVE NV, AOC Champagne, France

25 Sunday Dec 2022

Posted by in Champagne, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $71.0 KYD (December 2022 sale: $50.99 KYD)
Grape: 40% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
Category: Champagne
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Montagne de Reims & Grande Vallée de la Marne
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bellecart-Salmon
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A Christmas treat. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Rich gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, brioche, Anjou pear, peach, lemon, green apples, salted almonds, thyme & wet stone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vinification in stainless steel tanks, 50% to 60% reserve wines, ageing on lees: 30 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with crab spiced with ginger and a creamy courgette sauce which is topped with Daurenki caviar.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 25, 2022

FROG’S LEAP CHARDONNAY “SHALE AND STONE” 2018, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

25 Sunday Dec 2022

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, White Wines

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Cost: $31.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Frog’s Leap
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Somewhat over ripped. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Orange pith, grapefruit, marzipan, golden apples, white cherry & shale.

Negatives: Too over ripped for me.

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with scampi

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted December 24, 2022

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

19 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of NC best dry sparkling wines they’ve made, which is delicious, elegant, clean & crisp. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw to light gold in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, sourdough bread, lemon rind, green apples, pear, white peach,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 4 years on lees.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Norwegian eggs Benedict.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 18, 2022

MAISON NO. 9 2021, IGP Méditerranée, France

10 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $22.25)
Grape: Grenache based
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Provence
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Maison No.9
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious, elegant, clean & crisp rosé. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, watermelon, strawberry, pomegranate, orange zest & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Check out the cocktails you can make with this wine from the winemakers: https://maison9wine.com/collections/cocktails

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with sushi.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: December 8, 2022

LCBO: 20188

WENTE SOUTHERN HILLS CABERNET 2019, Livermore Valley, California, United States of America

08 Thursday Dec 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth wine with some sweet fruit but it’s contained by the acidity and being under 14% alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, Bing cherries, mulberry, blueberry, cocoa, cloves, cinnamon & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Originally reviewed 2014 vintage in 2018, and the price is still the same today. That’s unprecedented!

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with beef back ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 5, 2022

LCBO: 301507

GRAHAM BECK BRUT SPARKLING NV, Western Cape, South Africa

05 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by in Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Graham Beck
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp clean, fruit driven dry sparkling wine. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast & toasted bread, lemon zest, peach, Fuji apples, saline, pink grapefruit & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with salt n pepper calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 4, 2022

LCBO: 593483

DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL HERES 2015, AC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France

03 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $106.00
Grape: Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine du Grand Tinel
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a heavy wine considering the high alcohol, but a very powerful wine on the nose, yet elegant on the taste. Should please those with eclectic taste. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, grilled plum, black tea, Kalamon olives, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, crushed gravel & wild mushrooms on the nose.

Negatives: 15.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: “Issued from very old vines grown on ‘La Gardole’ quarter, on a sandy soil, conducted without pesticides and by hand-harvest. Produced in exceptional vintages only. Very limited production.” (Winery)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Porchetta.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 2, 2022

LCBO: 24741

FOLKLORE CHARDONNAY 2019, Western Australia

01 Thursday Dec 2022

Posted by in Not Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance Price: $12.60)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Western Australia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Folklore
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Horrible, like biting into over ripe orange. Score: Not worth to score.

Not recommended

Tasted: November 1, 2022

LCBO: 19905