Category Archives: Red Wines

IDI DI MARZO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2019, DOC Abruzzo, Italy

09 Saturday Apr 2022

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.95
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Villamagna, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Federico de Cerchio Family Estates
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

High score due to exceptional value, high quality, smooth, balanced, simply delicious & tasted the same after trying the wine on a variety of different glassware. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, ripe redcurrants, raspberry, roasted red peppers, licorice, cocoa, thyme, sage, Champagne mushrooms, tobacco leaves & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable wine & Vegan

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Eggplant Parmesan.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: April 8, 2022

LCBO: 23862

CECCHI STORIA DI FAMIGLIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

07 Thursday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $17.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cecchi
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but delicious & smooth all at a great price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, mulberry, pomegranate, thyme, arugula, cocoa powder & leather.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with wood oven pizza with Speck, arugula & a melody of baby tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: April 6, 2022

LCBO: 540922

SAWTOOH RED BLEND 2018, Idaho, United States of America

06 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95
Grape: Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah, Tempranillo & Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages Online Exclusive
Country: United States of America
Region: Idaho
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sawtooth Winery
Alcohol: 13.6 % Alcohol/Vol.

With 7 red blends, this could have gone very easily to the sweet side, but the winemaker; Meredith Smith, succeeds in having an easy drinking, smooth wine that’s balanced. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Ripe cherry, plum, Crème de Cassis, raspberry, blackberry, chocolate, tamarind, Allspice, tobacco leaves, truffles, cinnamon, vanilla & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Nice to have an Idaho wine at the LCBO

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with homemade Beef soup with twice cooked Caribbean golden potatoes and garlic, scotch bonnet and fresh basil.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 5, 2022

LCBO: 21174

CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL 2019, AOP Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages, France

01 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95
Grape: Grenache (50%) Syrah (25%) Carignan (25%)
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Maucoil
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Intense & powerful yet shows finesse. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, fine grain tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, plum, blackberry, blueberry, cassis, anise, vanilla & cherrywood

Negatives: The heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Stewed Beef Tips with gravy

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 30, 2022

LCBO: 638502

DRAMA DARK BLEND 2018, DO La Mancha, Spain

30 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $15.95
Grape: 50% Garnacha, 50% Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: La Mancha
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Familia Bastida
Alcohol: 14.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Designed for those that like the sweeter Cali red style wines, but a little less alcohol. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, stewed strawberry, orange peel, chocolate, Allspice & sandalwood.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Gazpachos Manchegos

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: March 29, 2022

LCBO: 22445

LUNDY MANOR LUNDY RED 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $21.95
Grape: 67% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 13.5% Syrah, 3.5% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Best value Canadian red wine I’ve tasted to date. Beautifully made that has elegance, smooth, complexed & all at an amazing price. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, blackberry, tamarind, raspberry, blueberry, Crème de cassis, baking spice, black & white peppers, cassis, Star Anise, dry figs, cocoa, vanilla & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Vinification Notes: the grapes were all 100% handpicked, then hard sorted, and fermented on their skins. A portion of the wine was placed on appassimento skins in a Ripasso style, then aged in a combination or French and American oak for a minimum of 18 months each.” LM Also I love the classic elegant wine label.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Marinated Leg of Lamb

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: March 21, 2022

LCBO: 21656

ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2019, DOC Controguerra, Abruzzo, Italy

12 Saturday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.95 (Sale Price until March 27, 2022: $11.95)
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Controguerra, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Azienda Agricola Dino Illuminati
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good table wine. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, licorice, arugula, thyme & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the smaller Sangiovese or Tempranillo glassware

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with pizza.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 11, 2022

LCBO: 269985

RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2017, DOC Rioja, Spain

02 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Principe De Viana, S.L.
Alcohol: 14.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good value for a full flavoured classic Crianza. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherry, raspberry, plum, licorice, cloves, cinnamon, leather, tobacco leaves & sandalwood.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with slow cooked lamb curry.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 1, 2022

LCBO: 471854

REDE RESRVA 2016, DOC Douro, Portugal

01 Tuesday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.95
Grape: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quinta de Rede
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, delicious wine that is juicy with spiciness all at a great price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, licorice, thyme, raisin, cassis, Star Anise, leather, tobacco leaves,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Partial aging in French oak wood for 6 months. The oldest historical records of Quinta da Rede are from 1484. It is part of the Douro wine region even before the demarcation of 1756. The Quinta overlooks the Douro River, on its right bank, between Mesão Frio and Régua, an altitude between 90 to 140 meters.” QR

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Espetada.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Feb 28, 2022

LCBO: 431262

KACABA CABERNET 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Sunday Feb 2022

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $15.95 (Sale Price until Feb 27, 2022: $13.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Hard to find a half decent Ontario red wine for under $16 & this one scores a hit. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium dark ruby with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Blackcurrant, black cherry, plum, blackberry, sage, chocolate, turmeric, pencil shavings, cloves, vanilla & light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan friendly

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Feb 26, 2022

LCBO: 499384