Category Archives: Red Wines

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

≈ Leave a comment


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

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

≈ Leave a comment


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

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

≈ Leave a comment


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

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


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

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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