Category Archives: Red Wines

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

17 Wednesday Nov 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, On The Fence, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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

Winemaker Gavin Robertson foray into Malbec, which is a rarity for any winery in Ontario to make generally succeeds. Score: 87/100.

Tasting Note: Medium purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, light tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberries, mulberries, eucalyptus & a touch of vanilla.

Negatives: A little too medicinal

Interesting Point: First couple of tastes, I wasn’t liking it, but the wine grew on me.

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

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: Nov 10, 2021

HILARIO CORBIÈRES 2019, AOP Corbières, Languedoc, France

16 Tuesday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corbières, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Confrerie Des Domaines
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious spicy, mouth-watering wine. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Deep dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, bramble fruit, black peppercorn, cocoa, arugula, sage & fresh cut carnations.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 12, 2021

LCBO: 15170

CHÂTEAU HYOT 2018, AC Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France

15 Monday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alain Aubert Proprietors
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious classic Bordeaux wine at a great price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, red pepper, cocoa, tamarind, anise, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: If this was made in Ontario, the wine would be going for $30 to $40.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Prime Rib Steak

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 11, 2021

LCBO: 63537

MELINI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2017, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

04 Thursday Nov 2021

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale Price until Nov 7, 2021: $16.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Melini
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive DOCG Chianti Classico Riserva at a great price. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, balsamic, arugula, licorice, dry sage & oregano.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Melini was founded in 1705

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 10 years on its own or pair it with Stone Pizza with Speck, Arugula, Harissa & Tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 3, 2021

LCBO: 487819

TOM GORE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, California, United States of America

31 Sunday Oct 2021

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tom Gore Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

On the plus side it’s under 14% alcohol, but on the negative side it’s your standard sweet mass-produced Cab. Score: Below 80/100.

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with average acidity, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Kirsch, plum, raisins, blackcurrant, mocha, figs & tomato leaves.

Negatives: Too sweet for my taste.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Korean BBQ ribs.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: Oct 30, 2021

LCBO: 451336

FOLIE À DEUX CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

25 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $44.95 (Clearance Price: $36.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

The wine is pleasant, although on the jammy side, which is not surprising as it has 14.5% alcohol & just not worth the price, even at the clearance price. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blueberry pie, plum, black olives, sage, black tea, licorice & tobacco leaves.

Negatives: The price and 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Folie à Deux wines are sustainably grown in Sonoma County.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Korean BBQ Ribs

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: Oct 23, 2021

LCBO: 186163

BALANCE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Oct 2021

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario made Cab Sauvignon for under $30. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, bramble fruit, pencil shavings, cassis & Allspice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: A thousand times better than their 2018 vintage, which to me was too jammy, more Port style.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years & pair it with Slow Cooker Beef Cheeks in Red Wine

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Oct 19, 2021

CHATEAU ST. JEAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, California, United States of America

26 Sunday Sep 2021

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau St. Jean
Alcohol:  13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Not my cup of tea, but this is a better commercially produced Cali red wine that will please those that prefer ripe fruit forward with low tannin wines. Nice to see the alcohol level is below 14%. Score: 86/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with average acidity, medium+ intense nose, low tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Kirsch, raspberry, mulberry, plum, cassis, mocha & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Pork Tenderloin with sweet balsamic plum sauce. 

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 26, 2021

LCBO: 38034

LE NOBLE CUVÉE RÉSERVE 2018, AC Bordeaux, France

17 Friday Sep 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $12.95
Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves de Rauzan
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This inexpensive wine is deceptive. At 1st it’s simple, but if you let it sit for an hour, the wine opens up to give pleasant tertiary notes. Can’t beat the price for this full flavoured, easy drinking & very pleasant wine. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, mild tannin, medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberries, black cherries, mocha, dry herbs, Allspice, turmeric, vanilla & cedar.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable winegrowing

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 4-7 years on its own or pair it with Crispy BBQ smashed potatoes drizzled in tangy BBQ sauce

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy

Tasted: Sept 16, 2021

LCBO: 18782

GRAN FEUDO RESERVA 2016, DO Navarra, Spain

03 Friday Sep 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale Price until Sept 12, 2021: $16.95)
Grape: 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 30% Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gran Feudo
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, lighter style, not a complex blend of Cab/Merlot/Tempranillo which is pleasant to drink. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense+ nose, mild tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, mulberry, turmeric & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: My preference is using a Tempranillo style glassware as this isn’t a bold wine

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with lamb chops with pesto sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 3, 2021

LCBO: 479014