Category Archives: Red Wines

CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT 2018, AOP Fronton, France

24 Monday Jan 2022

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: 55% Négrette, 20% Syrah, 15% Cab Sauv 10% Cab Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Fronton, South West France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Bellevue La Forêt
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Fresh first palate, then fruity and spicy when the wine opens up. 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: Elderberry, Aronia berry, blackberry, blackcurrant, cocoa, nutmeg, pepper & baby arugula.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Négrette, a unique grape variety in the world, appeared in the 12th century under the name of “MAVRO” (black in Greek) brought from Cyprus by the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Demanding, it has become acclimatized to this single terroir of Fronton; Négrette is one of the rare grape varieties to reveal aromas in wine identical to those found when crunching fresh grapes.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Coffee and Cracked Pepper Rubbed Smoked Beef Brisket.

My Opinion: Recommended
Best Buy
Tasted: Jan 22, 2022
LCBO: 354134

FOLKLORE CABERNET MERLOT 2018, Western Australia

20 Thursday Jan 2022

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Western Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Negociants International
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a complex wine but it has intense flavours & pleasant to drink. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mint, blackcurrants, plum, strawberry, mocha & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Lamb and Rosemary Meat Pie

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 19, 2022

LCBO: 20879

CHÂTEAU LA COMMANDERIE DU BARDELET 2019, AOC Bordeaux, France

13 Thursday Jan 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Famille Petit Les Grands Vins
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Well made, easy drinking with nice flavours. 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: Black cherry, blackberry, anise, cassis, cloves, pencil shavings, leather & vanilla sticks.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Boeuf de Bazas

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 12, 2022

LCBO: 21282

LEONARDO CHIANTI RISERVA 2017, DOC Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

12 Wednesday Jan 2022

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci Scrl
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Once the wine smooths out, it’s an excellent valued Chianti Riserva. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, chalky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, red currants, mulberry, oregano, basil, tomato leaves, arugula & mushrooms.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: To smooth out this wine, I recommend decanting it and let it rest for about an hour.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Tagliatelle al tartufo

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 11, 2022

LCBO: 19698

OAK BAY PINOT NOIR 2019, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

10 Monday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery
Alcohol:  13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently good vintage to vintage & one would be hard to find a better Pinot under $20.  Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, red plum, beetroot, peat moss, Champagne mushrooms & smoked cherry tobacco on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vineyards planted in 1928, Oak Bay now is 100% sustainable & organically maintained.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 6-7 years on its own or pair it with Honey Roasted Duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 9, 2022 LCBO: 267146

FORTANT GRANDS TERROIRS 2018, AOC Minervois, Languedoc, France

09 Sunday Jan 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Minervois, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fortant
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive both taste & cost. On the taste it’s complex, full flavoured, smoky & meaty.  Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, blackberries, cassis, cloves, cocoa, sage, black pepper, licorice, anise, portobello mushrooms, black olives & smoked ambers.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: After trying several styles of wine glassware, I found that the Syrah style was the best as it gave the wine a smoother after taste than other styles such as Bordeaux.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Pappardelle Pasta with Portobello Mushroom Ragu.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 8, 2022

LCBO: 20713

LAGAR DE ROBLA PREMIUM MENCIA 2016, DO Castilla y León, Spain

07 Friday Jan 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Mencia
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Viños de Arganza
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body wine that’s complexed & not jammy or sweet plus it’s under $20. Great alternative for someone that wants a red wine other than the classic varietals. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, tamarind, blackberries, raisins, cassis, cloves, dark chocolate, sage, Allspice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: After trying several styles of wine glassware, I found that the Syrah style was the best as it gave the wine a smoother after taste than other styles such as Bordeaux.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Spanish Beef Empanadas

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 6, 2022

LCBO: 439729

TERRA D’ALIGI TATONE MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2017, DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo, Italy

30 Thursday Dec 2021

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terra D’Aligi
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Although the 2017 vintage is good, it’s nowhere what the 2016 vintage was, as I reviewed in back in July 6, 2021. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, green tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, blackberry, raspberry, oregano, sage, cardamon, black tea & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using the smaller Chianti style glassware as it will smooth out the wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Pizzaiola

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Dec 29, 2021

LCBO: 994616

CERRO CHAPEU RESERVE TANNAT 2018, Uruguay

21 Tuesday Dec 2021

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Tannat
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Uruguay
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodega Cerro Chapeu
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious juicy fruits at its core followed by nice spiciness & smoke. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Tamarind, plum, Aronia berries, blackberries, cardamom, smoked ambers, dark chocolates, licorice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The grapes are crushed over tanks without pumping. After with low temperature, spontaneous fermentation is slowly started with open tanks and punching down in stainless steel tanks at 20°C. These conditions allowed the development of increase diversity of native yeasts, resulting in more body and flavor complexity. After 10 days of fermentation, the wine is finished in second use wine French oak barrels and then aged for 12 months without any racking over the lies.” (Cerro Chapeu)

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with BBQ ribeye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Dec 20, 2021

LCBO: 19476

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE PETIT VERDOT 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Friday Dec 2021

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

And now for something completely different for Ontario wines, a Petit Verdot & winemaker Gavin’s first foray at NC with this grape is a success. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Medium to dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, green tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberry, plum, dark cherry, sage, lavender, Champagne mushrooms, vanilla, light smoke & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: As Petit Verdot is bold & tannic, it needs a large style Bordeaux glass & decant to soften the tanin.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Biryani.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Dec 1, 2021