Category Archives: Red Wines

CONCANNON VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Paso Robles, California, United States of America

30 Sunday May 2021

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Paso Robles, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Concannon Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex, not sweet or flabby, not in the usual high alcohol range of 14.5% that’s common from the warm region of Paso Robles, just nice, smooth & great taste. 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: Black cherry, blackcurrants, blackberries, plum, ripe tamarind, raspberry, cocoa, nutmeg, turmeric, vanilla, leather & purple lilacs on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established in 1883 when the winery imported grapes from Bordeaux to establish their Cabernet Sauvignon

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with slow cooker Beef Cheeks in Red Wine.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 2, 2021

LCBO: 10039

MICHAEL DAVID CHARDONNAY 2019, Lodi, California, United States of America

19 Wednesday May 2021

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Lodi, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Michael David Winery
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

The stainless-steel fermentation gives this wine a crisp start with tropical fruits, which is followed by the more mellow soft & creamy notes from the oak aging. Truly a top Chard. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium-low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, pineapples, honeydew melon, ginger, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The Phillips family have been farming this soil since the 1860’s and cultivating wine grapes since the early 20th century. The founders, brothers Michael and David Phillips, are 5th generation grape growers who have raised their families in the vineyard, and now the 6th generation has joined the team, Mike’s son Kevin and daughter Melissa. They understand the importance of leaving it better than you found it for future generations. Their family legacy and love of Lodi drive their focus on sustainability.

I bought this wine based on 2 things: 1) The bottle, just love the unique shape & the beveled engraved winery logo, 2) Under 14.5% alcohol.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with snow crab legs & drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 18, 2021

LCBO: 396283

BELLERUCHE ROUGE CÔTE-DU-RHÔNE 2019, AOP Côtes-du-Rhône, France

07 Friday May 2021

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price: $13.95 until May 23, 2021)
Grape: Grenache & Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Côtes-Du-Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: M. Chapoutier
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex just a flavourful wine with nice fruits & spiciness at a reasonable price & even that much better at the sale price. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby with a purple tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrants, mulberry, white & black peppers, Allspice & licorice.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Aged 6 months in concrete and stainless-steel tanks.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Moroccan Lamb Burger with harissa and black pepper Mayo

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 6, 2021

LCBO: 17779

FLOR DE MAIO MAYFLOWER 2016, IG Alentejano, Portugal

02 Sunday May 2021

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Trincadeira, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Alentejano
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnum Vinhos Wines
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An undervalued wine, which is great for the consumer, as you get lots of red fruit with spiciness. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, mulberry, white & black peppers, Allspice, licorice & fennel on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is Vegan friendly & 100% fermented in stainless steel.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Best Buy

Tasted: May 1, 2021

LCBO: 427195

13th STREET WINERY CLASSIC SERIES CABERNET MERLOT 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth easy everyday drinking wine. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, red & black currants, sweet toasted oak, white pepper & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Wine was aged both in stainless steel & oak barrels. Also, please see my review on the 2019 vintage.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Roast Beef with Plum Pudding

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 28, 2021

LCBO: 56598

13th STREET WINERY CABERNET/MERLOT CLASSIC SERIES 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Apr 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery (See Interesting Point below)
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This delicious wine is 100%-barrel fermented & has a burst of fruit expression then it’s rounded out by the Merlot. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, mulberry, plum, pomegranate, sweet toast, malt chocolate, white pepper & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2019 vintage is currently available only at the winery, but the LCBO still carries the 2018 at $19.95

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled T-Bone steak

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 24, 2021

LCBO: 56598

SEÑARÍO DE LA ANTIGUA FINCA CABANELA MENĆIA 2015, DO Castilla y León, Spain

20 Tuesday Apr 2021

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Menćia
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Seńorío de la Antigua
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but very flavourful, easy drinking, not flat or sweet, plus it’s good value for your money. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Medium dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberry, blackcurrants, plum, tamarind, mushrooms & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to about 17 C in order to give this wine more freshness

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Carne Asada

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 19, 2021

LCBO: 481549

STREWN TERROIR, STREWN THREE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $46.00
Grape: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stewn Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Don’t think Ontario winemakers make great Bordeaux style wines like their counterparts across the pond, well this one certainly does. The wine just explodes in your mouth with beautiful fruits & spice. Well worth the price. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, plum, tamarind, mulberry, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, black peppers, Crème de cassis, cloves, cinnamon, anise, tobacco leaves, leather, vanilla & a mix of Evergreens & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Strewn Three, their flagship red wine, is a three varietal blend that is unique each time it is made. In the past decade there have been only four vintages – 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016 – where the grapes were of the outstanding quality required to make our top-tier Terroir reds.” Strewn

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Blackberry Pan sauce and Arugula 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 24, 2021

MARQUÉS DE TORO FINCA LA MOURA MENCÍA 2015, CEO Castilla y León, Spain

23 Tuesday Mar 2021

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Mencía & other Spanish Reds
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Alvares de Toro
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Undervalued wine that’s well-made, complex & featuring juicy fruit notes & spiciness. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Opaque purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, plum, ripe tamarind, mulberry, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, black peppers, cassis, anise, tomato leaves, leather & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I believe you could bring this bottle to a dinner party & people will think it’s a $30+ bottle of wine.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buys

Tasted: March 22, 2021

LCBO: 545939

PELEE ISLAND VINEDRESSERS RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2017, VQA South Islands, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Mar 2021

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Ontario
Region: South Islands, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This Pinot is an excellent styling to Central Otago Pinots, but under $20, which you will never find that at the LCBO for former. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, strawberry, raspberry, beetroot, mulberry, cinnamon & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I love the expensive looking front label. Remember to chill to 15C, and use balloon (Burgundy) glassware.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Escargots à la Bourguignonne.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 21, 2021

LCBO: 325282