BERINGER CHARDONNAY 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States

20 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Beringer

Cost: $22.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, buttery, moderately oaky & well balanced Napa Chard at a good price

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, Spy apples, green apple, clementine, pineapple, peaches & cream corn, peach, dill, ginger, oak spice, nutmeg and Jasmine on the nose. Full body with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Better balanced and higher quality than the 2013 vintage, which is reviewed on my site.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Seared Scallops with Linguini in a Herb Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 7 March 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 84988

ANTICA MASSERIA JORCHE PRIMITIVO Di MANDURIA 2011, DOC Manduria, Puglia, Italy

20 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by in Red Wines

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Jorche

Cost: $21.95
Grape: Primitivo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Manduria, Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Antica Masseria Jorche
Alcohol: 15% Alcohol/Vol.

Good but a little one dimensional

Description: Dark purple to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, cherry, pomegranate, figs, raisins, oregano, sage, graphite and tomato leaves. Medium+ body with high tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A little hot from the 15% alcohol

Interesting Note: Decanting for an hour. Really like the classy label

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Rigatoni with Spicy Sausage-Tomato Sauce, Arugula and Parmesan.

Tasted: 27 February 2016

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

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

LCBO: 417535

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION PINOT NOIR 2014, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

20 Sunday Mar 2016

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Magnotta Pinot

Cost: $20.15 (Sale until 29 Feb 2016: $16.15)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A modern style Pinot that balances sweet & tartness to make this a juicy & well received

Description: Medium light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine cedar, sweet cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, raspberry, strawberry, licorice, truffles, an undertone of earth and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Less funky than their 2011 vintage, reviewed by me last year, and I believe this will find a wider audience. Remember to lightly chill it.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Sage Pork Chops with Cherry Balsamic Glaze.

26 February 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

PAHLMEYER PROPRIETARY RED 2008, Napa Valley, California, United States

18 Friday Mar 2016

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

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Pahlmeyer

Cost: $149.95
Grape Variety: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pahlmeyer
Alcohol: 15.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Weighty price, heavy bottle, hefty flavour

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, blackberry, blueberry, plum, raspberry, mocha, cappuccino, Allspice, cherry tobacco, turmeric and vanilla. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: 15.2% alcohol

Interesting Point: Tasted this wine in several style glassware, including the Riedel Sommelier Bordeaux and even the Pinot Noir style. An interesting find with the latter as it eliminated the traditional green notes that initially dominated the finishing notes in the other styles. However, after being allowed to breathe in the Sommelier glass for a while it was elegant, silky and just plain delicious. Decant for an hour.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Porterhouse Lamb Chops with Garlic Herb Mashed potatoes.

Tasted: 16 March 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

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

LCBO:329375 Old skew number: 967992

SAMSARA MELVILLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2011, Melville, Sta. Rita Hills, California

18 Friday Mar 2016

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

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Samsara

Cost: $85.50 US
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Melville, Sta. Rita Hills, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Samsara
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

New World style Pinot that is just beautiful & worth the premium price

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features an beautiful aromatic nose followed by an equally delicious palate. Notes include purple lilacs, paradise plum, sage, strawberry, raspberry, peat moss, forest greens, and Sea-grape. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine to my daughter; Sarah, for my birthday present.

Interesting Note:

  • Lightly chill and serve in a balloon style Pinot glass
  • Hand picked & hand made
  • Neither fined nor filtered

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Roasted Crispy Goose.

Tasted: 16 March 2016

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

Top Pick

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

GUENOC PETITE SIRAH 2013, Lake County, California, United States

18 Friday Mar 2016

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Guenoc

Cost: $28 US
Grape: Petit Sirah 2013
Category: Red Wine
Location Club House One, Miami International Airport
Country: United States
Region: Lake County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Langtry Estate
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy & a treat to drink

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, plum, dark cherry, white & black peppers, chocolate, arugula, vanilla, leather and violets on the nose. Full body with medium+ tannin, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Would like to taste this wine in a proper wine glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Club House One Rib-eye steak (It was delicious)

Tasted: 17 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

STARMONT CHARDONNAY 2014, Carneros, Napa Valley, United States

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

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Starmont

Cost: $28.15 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: United States
Region: Carneros, Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Starmont Winery & Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Carneros Chard at a good price

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features lightly toasted oak, lemon, green apples, caramel, dill, ginger, wakame salad, vanilla and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with crisp acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note:

  • Screw top
  • Solar-powered, sustainably farmed and Napa Green Certified
  • To enjoy the full flavours of this wine, don’t over chill it

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with salmon sashimi

Tasted: 10 March 2016

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

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

CRAGGY RANGE TE KAHU GIMBLETS 2011, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $30.50 US
Grape: 69% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman Islands
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Craggy Range
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Interesting in a good way

Description: Bright deep ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, dark cherry, raspberry, plum, tamarind, blackcurrant, cherry-cola, sage, thyme and leather. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Te Kahu means “The cloak in the Te Reo Maori and refers to the mist that envelops their giants winery in the Tuki Tuki Valley. Legend has it this mist protected a mythical Maori maiden from the sun as she visited her lover Te Mata.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Pit Roasted Picanha.

Tasted: 12 March 2016

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

CHÂTEAU LA COURANÇONNE SEGURET ROSÉ “La Fiole du Chevalier d’Elbène”2014, AOC Côtes du Rhône, France

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

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

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Seguret

Cost: $24.40 US ($20 CI)
Grape: 50% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Côtes du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château La Courançonne
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, smooth, juicy & delicious

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features watermelon, pink grapefruit, strawberry, raspberry, tangerine and cherry blossom on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine

Interesting Note: This vintage is superior to the 2012 vintage reviewed by me in 2014.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto & basil roll

Tasted: 15 March 2016

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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

DIEMERSFONTEIN PINOTAGE 2014, Wellington, South Africa

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Pinotage

Cost: $30 US ($18.95 at LCBO)
Grape: Pinotage
Category: Red Wine
Location The Tasting Room, Cayman Islands
Country: South Africa
Region: Wellington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic smoky intense Pinotage that’s quite delicious

Description: Medium bright ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features oak, tiramisu, buttered dark toast, mocha, Christmas cake, sticky toffee, cigar box, strawberry jam, tar and sizzled bacon. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Mario from The Tasting Room www.caymanboutique.com for suggesting this wine and a delightful afternoon of wine tasting.

Interesting Note: Wine is made from hand-picked grapes.

Ideally suited to drink this wine on its own over the next 3 years.

Tasted: 14 March 2016

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

Best Buy

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 956409 (As of this review the 2014 vintage is not yet available at the LCBO)