Category Archives: Red Wines

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE PINOT NOIR 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

09 Tuesday Dec 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Organic/Sustainability, Red Wines, Vegan Friendly

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

An elegant, juicy Pinot that pairs well with food or on its own. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, fine tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry & red currants.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic & vegan

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand-harvested clusters were destemmed prior to undergoing a wild ferment in open-top oak fermenter. After pressing, the wine was transferred to second-fill and neutral French oak barrels to preserve freshness and then aged eight months before bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with duck breast.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 8, 2025

EL TOCADOR OLD VINES TEMPRANILLO 2023, Castilla – La Mancha, Spain

19 Sunday Oct 2025

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines, Vegan Friendly

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Cost: $11.95 (On sale until Nov 9/25: $10.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla – La Mancha
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Hammeken Cellars
Alcohol: 14.00% Alcohol/Vol.

A great alternative to U.S. Cabs that are around $20 mark, but this one is half the price & has better structure. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, mild tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Blueberry jam, dark cherry, raspberry, mocha, cherry cola, cloves, milk chocolate, cooked spinach & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan Friendly

Winemaker’s Note:

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: October 18, 2025

LCBO: 44192

KACABA FOUNDER’S SELECT CABERNET/SYRAH 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

12 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $69.95
Grape: 39.6% Syrah, 30.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30.2% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Ontario red that will show its true caliber in years to come. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, mulberry, plum, cassis, Star Anise, white pepper, Radicchio & arugula.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged 16 months in French & American oak.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 6 – 8 years on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 7, 2025

BARON DE LEY RIOJA RESERVA 2019, DOC Rioja, Spain

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Baron De Ley
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja reserva with nice fruits & spice. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense+ nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, black currants, mulberry, blackberries, raspberry, Allspice, cassis & cinnamon.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged for a minimum of 20 months in oak casks & then matured in bottle to complete its evolution.”

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 24, 2025

LCBO:  23760

RIDGE ROAD ESTATE WINERY GAMAY NOIR 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

16 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ridge Road Estate Winery Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality made Gamay with tart fruit & spice. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, cranberry, rhubarb, strawberry, black pepper, cloves & cassis.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 14, 2025

KACABA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Saturday Jul 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice expressive Ontario Cab. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, raspberry, dark chocolate, cassis, anise, pencil shavings & baby spinach leaves.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged in French & American oak for 16 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with flank steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: July 3, 2025

RED HOUSE WINE CO. BACO CABERNET SAUVIGNON NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

06 Friday Jun 2025

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (on sale until June 22, 2025: $11.95)
Grape: Baco Noir & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Red House Wine Co.
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Score a big wine for the Speck brothers and for Ontario, for making an inexpensive red wine that has substance, easy to drink & delicious Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry pie, plum, mulberry, blackberry, ripe tamarind, white pepper, cassis & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Can’t beat this wine at the price, especially at the sale price.

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with BBQ hamburgers

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 5, 2025

LCBO:  279521

KACABA RESERVE SYRAH 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

04 Wednesday Jun 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $69.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

High price but it’s worth the complexity, structure & taste of this wine Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, mulberry, blackberry, cocoa, tobacco leaves, white pepper, star anise, tarragon & fresh cut violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Grapes were harvested using a combination of hand & machine harvesting. Grapes undergone a long cold soak before a gentle & cool fermentation to extract colour & tannin, and to achieve optimal colour & aroma. Fruit was transferred to open top fermenters & inoculated with select strains of yeast. The wine was left on the skins post fermentation to add to the complexity & texture of the wine. After the wine was pressed from its skins, it was transferred to French & American oak barrels for 18 months of aging.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7 – 9 years on its own or pair it with Mechoui

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 3, 2025

KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2019, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

08 Thursday May 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: 38.7% Syrah, 28.5% Cab Franc, 28.5 % Cab Sauvignon, 4.3% Viognier
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Well-made Ontario red blend with luscious & vibrant notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby going to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, blackberries, blackcurrants, cassis, anise, white pepper, graphite, espresso, tobacco leaves & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: “Aged in French & American oak for 12 months.” Winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 6, 2025

KACABA CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

30 Wednesday Apr 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $69.95 (sale price until May 14/25: $65.15)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High-end Ontario red that is outstanding with luscious & vibrant notes. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, boysenberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, cassis, anise, graphite, espresso, tobacco leaves & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: “All grapes for this reserve Cabernet Sauvignon were gently crushed and destemmed prior to cold soaking for two days to extract optimal color and flavor. All three blocks of estate grown Kacaba Cabernet Sauvignon fruit was fermented in separate lots, allowing each lot to be individually and distinctly crafted before being aged in French and American oak barrels. The wine was matured 18 months in barrel before its final blending, filtering, and bottling in September 2024.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Bavette steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 28, 2025