MYSTERIOUS DIGGINS PINOT NOIR 2012, Central Otago, New Zealand

30 Monday Jan 2017

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Cost: $23.99 (CI)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terra Sancta Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

The nose shows sweetness, yet the taste is balanced

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, dark cherry, plum, cloves, blueberry, smoke amber & violets on the taste and the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill to 15C.

Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Pork Chops with Garlic and Sage.

Tasted: 1 January 2017

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

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

AU CONTRAIRE CHARDONNAY 2014,Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

30 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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au-contraire

Cost: $18.99 (CI)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Au Contraire Wines
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

An interesting RRV Chard, in that it tastes better a day later

Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose. This wine features medium to light oak, lemon, grapefruit, coconut custard pie, marzipan, apple, pear and brown sugar on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Overtly citric with too much brown sugar on the nose

Interesting Note: The taste was better a day later as the overtly citric flavours had been muted out.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Four-Cheese Perogies with herb-butter sauce.

Tasted: 1 January 2017

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

ENROUTE LES POMMIERS PINOT NOIR 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

30 Monday Jan 2017

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

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btl-pn-lespommiers

Cost: $23.99 (CI)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Enroute Winery
Alcohol: 14.6% Alcohol/Vol.

This is why I love RRV Pinot’s

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features pine, Bing cherry, boysenberry, plum, ripe tamarinds, cinnamon, cloves and smoked leaves & violets the nose. Medium+ body with mild tannin, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

My thanks to my sister-in-law; Tina for giving me this wine.

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style glassware and chill to 15C.

Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hens.

Tasted: 3 January 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

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

LES MARMITONS GASTRONOMY CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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gastronomy-chard-1

Cost: $19.15
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Niagara Teaching Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I love finding unique treasures, especially in Canadian wines, and this wine is one of them

Description: Bright straw to gold to in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, Golden Delicious apples, pineapple, clementine, clove, butterscotch, honey & apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Although this wine was aged sur lie in barrel oaks for 14 months and had malolactic fermentation, the wine tastes better in smaller Chablis style glass than the larger Montrachet larger glassware.

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Lemon Sole.

Tasted: 16 January 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

WILLIAM HILL NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY, 2014 Napa Valley, California, United States

27 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by in White Wines

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william-hill-chard

Cost: $28.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: William Hill Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant Chard

Description: Bright gold to in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon, green apples, pineapple, clementine, butterscotch, ginger, oak spice & apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 4 years on its own or pair it with Baked Maple Mustard Chicken Thighs.

Tasted: 21 January 2017

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

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

LCBO: 988840

CATTAIL CREEK PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2009, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Cattail Creek Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cattail Creek Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An aged Pinot Noir for Pinot aficionados

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features barnyard notes, strawberries, cherries, cranberries, cloves and smoky ambers on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Oven Baked Salmon served with Roasted Mushrooms and Herbs.

Tasted: 13 December 2016

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

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

MUMM NAPA BRUT PRESTIGE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Napa Valley, California, United States 

27 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by in Sparkling Wine

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mumm-napa

Cost: $25.95 (Sale price until 1 Jan 2017: $21.95)
Grape: 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier & Pinot Gris
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mumm Napa
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

This won’t wow the connoisseurs as it’s on the sweet side, but it’s easy drinking, maybe too smooth & it’s more than just satisfying

Description: Deep straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features mild buttery toast, lemon, green & red apples, pear, peach, gingerbread, honey and Easter lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Priced on the higher end, but well worth it.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Scalloped Oysters.

Tasted: 11 December 2016

Best Buy at the sale price

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

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

LCBO: 217273

CATTAIL CREEK ESTATE SERIES MERLOT 2010, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Tuesday Dec 2016

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cattail Creek Family Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A light, simple but pleasant Canadian Merlot

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, dark cherry, blueberry, plum and dark chocolate. Medium light body with medium tannin, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with Grilled Pork Chops with Gingered Plum Sauce.

Tasted: 19 September 2016

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

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

MUGA RESERVA 2012, DOC Rioja, Spain

11 Sunday Dec 2016

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muga

Cost: $23.95 (Sale price until 1 Jan 2017: $19.95)
Grape: 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Graciano & Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Muga
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant, lighter style of Rioja

Description: Deep, dark almost opaque ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, plum, strawberry, blackberry, vanilla, leather and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Medium body with medium+ tannin, , good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Priced on the higher end, but well worth it.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Sage Cornish Game Hens with Pomegranate Molasses.

Tasted: 10 December 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 177345

ST. FRANCIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Sonoma County, California, United States

11 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by in Red Wines

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st-francis

Cost: $29.95 (Clearance price: $20.40)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Francis Winery
Alcohol: 14.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Solid California Cab for under $30

Description: Deep, dark almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, ripe blackcurrants, plum, blackberry, tar, tobacco, tomato leaf, dark chocolate and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 14.8% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Beef Brochette with Taleggio and Spicy Chocolate Sauce.

Tasted: 9 December 2016

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 671164