Cost: $17.95 Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: France Region: Bordeaux Format: 750 mL Producer: SCEA Terre Blanque Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
An easy drinking wine with substance all at a good price. Score: 90/100.
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, bramble fruit, turmeric, cassis, pencil shavings & violets on the nose.
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until June 20, 20201: $17.95) Grape: Red Blend Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO General List Country: United States of America Region: California Format: 750 mL Producer: Josh Cellars Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
A simple, easy drinking, not sweet but has a jammy feel to it. 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: Plum, cherry pie, blackberry, toasted cedar, mocha, sage, white & black peppers.
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Flank Steak with grilled scallions, charred corn, roasted garlic fingerling potatoes and Chimichurri sauce.
Cost: $20.95 Grape: 45% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: France Region: Saint-Chinian Roquebrun, Languedoc Format: 750 mL Producer: Cave de Roquebrun Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
A delicious combination of red fruits, spiciness & earthiness. Score: 94/100.
Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherry, strawberries, raspberries, dried herbs, mocha, portobello mushrooms, & white pepper
Negatives: None
Interesting Point: Reminds me of Vaqueyras
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Herb Duck Breast
Cost: $24.95 (Sale price until June 2021: $21.95 Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon Category: Red Wine Location: LCBO Vintages Country: United States of America Region: Sonoma County, California Format: 750 mL Producer: Louis M Martini Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
A quality Cali Cab wine under $25 that’s smooth with lots of nice black & red fruits. Nice to see this vintage below 14.5% alcohol. Score: 92/100.
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, tamarind, raspberry, mocha, Crème de Cassis turmeric, vanilla, leather & purple lilacs on the nose.
Negatives: None
Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
Twilight Wines 