Category Archives: Red Wines

DOMAINE CLAVEL SYRIUS SAINT GERVAIS 2017, AOP Saint Gervais, Côtes du Rhônes, France

21 Sunday Mar 2021

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint Gervais, Côtes du Rhônes
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Clavel
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerful, full body wine with lots of sweet fruit notes & spices. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, raisins, cherry pie, cloves, cinnamon, Allspice, white pepper & tomato leaves.   

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

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

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: March 20, 2021

LCBO: 18144

13th STEET WINERY MERITAGE 2018, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Picture is of 2016, but same label for 2018

Cost: $39.95
Grape: 41.5% Merlot, 41.5% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This maybe the best Canadian red wine I’ve had & my best rated Canadian wine score, therefore well worth the price. This wine is balanced, complex with juicy fruit notes & spice. Absolutely delicious. Well done JP. Score: 98/100

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plums, ripe tamarind, bramble fruit, pomegranate, dark chocolate, cloves, Allspice, cinnamon, sage, spinach leaves, leather, pencil shavings, turmeric with cedar & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: My favourite wine of JP’s to date was his Viscek 2018 Chardonnay, & this is now my favourite of his wines (not including his sparkling wines, but it just maybe equal).

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 10 years & pair it with Rosemary Crusted Rack of Lamb with Pomegranate Shallot Sauce. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 5, 2021

Re tested March 8, 2021

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully crafted this Pinot shows classic & elegant notes that are well balanced between the fruit & acidity while any oak influence gives it some backbone. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black & sour cherries, strawberry, raspberry, beetroot, Champagne mushrooms, peat moss & a touch of vanilla bean.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Sourced from Whitty Vineyards in Creek Shores. Fermented with minimum intervention & aged in new & seasoned French oak barrels for 8 months.” (13th Street)

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 13, 2021

LES DAUPHINS CÔTES DU RHÔNE CUVÉE SPÉCIALE 2018, Côtes du Rhône, France

11 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Grenache Noir and Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cellier Des Dauphins
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple wine with ripe fruits & spice. Taste more like an Australian Shiraz. Score: 79/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, mild tannin, a medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: dried prunes, ripe tamarins, cloves, white pepper, sage & eucalyptus.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the listed 13.5% alcohol, plus too much ripeness.

Interesting Point: Use Bordeaux style wine stemware as when I tried with Syrah style one, the wine showed a lot of jammy cooked notes.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Lamb Steak in Mint Sauce 

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 10, 2021

LCBO: 385385

FRANSCHHOEK CELLAR, THE CHURCHYARD, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, Franschhoek, South Africa

08 Monday Mar 2021

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Franschhoek Cellar
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An intense wine with lots of blackcurrants. Score: 86/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, dry tannin, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackcurrants, plum, blackberry, black truffle, leather, pencil shavings & turmeric.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Decanting this wine will expose more than just blackcurrants.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Pork Medallions with Apples, Blackcurrants and crispy Sage

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 7, 2021

LCBO: 634667

BOLLATO DI GUARINI NEGROAMARO PRIMITIVO 2018, IGP Puglia, Italy

02 Tuesday Mar 2021

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Cost: $17.00
Grape: Negroamaro & Primitivo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Losito e Guarini
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex wine but the correct glassware will make a huge difference between pleasant drinking or overtly sweet. Smaller glassware for Sangiovese will be the best choice. 88/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, Bing cherries, ripe tamarind, blueberry, blueberry, aged balsamic, leather, thyme, tobacco, pepper, figs & violets on the nose.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1. I got this wine as I love the rum style bottle, but it pours poorly do to the large lip. 2. Besides the correct stemware, serve this wine between 16-18C.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Wild Boar Ribs with Fig BBQ Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 1, 2021

LCBO: 17884

SAND POINT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Lodi, California, United States of America

25 Thursday Feb 2021

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until Feb 28, 2021: $14.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: Lodi, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lange Twiins Family Vineyards
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a fruit gusher. An easy drinking Cali Cab Sauv without the high alcohol now common with red wines from California. Score:  86/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & an average length on the finish. This wine features: plum, cherry, blueberry pie, ripe tamarind, cloves & cassis.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Sticky Tamarind Beef.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence

Tasted: February 23, 2021

LCBO: 11193

CHÂTEAU DES LANDES CUVÉE PRESTIGE 2016, AOC Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France

24 Wednesday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $26.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Landes
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A beautiful wine that is smooth, balanced with complexity. This wine is a bargain at this price. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: cherry, Crème de cassis, plum, blackberry, mulberry, tamarind, cherry tobacco, Allspice & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 100% Merlot aged 16 months in new French oak,

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with slow roasted prime rib.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 23, 2021

LCBO: 363101

FATTORIA LE PUPILLE MORELLINO DI SCANSANO 2018, DOCG Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany, Italy

20 Saturday Feb 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Alicante, 5% Ciliegiolo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fattoria Le Pupille
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth with lush fruits. Score: 92 /100

Tasting Note: Bright medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. This wine features: plum, black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, cinnamon, milk chocolate, vanilla & sage.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years & pair it with Tuscan crostini with liver pate, Maremma ravioli, acquacotta.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: February 18, 2021

LCBO: 455659

CYCLES GLADIATOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, California, United States of America

20 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cycles Gladiator
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a simple but an intense, in your face Cab blend. However, the wine doesn’t know what it wants to be & therefore not worth the price point. Score: 84/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features blackcurrants, raspberry, plum, black candy licorice & dates.  

Negatives: A little too intense for me in a negative way as its emphasis the black licorice & sweetness that I don’t like

Interesting Point: “Inspired by the women’s suffrage movement, we drew our name from the 19th century French bicycle manufacturer, the Gladiator Company, and honor their iconic art on our wine label. The red-haired maiden soaring through the sky on her bicycle symbolized the new liberation of women from their homes after centuries of repression. Bicycles, as Susan B. Anthony praised, literally emancipated women from domesticity, allowing them to travel outside their households to work and vote.” Cycles Gladiator

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with Blackstrap Molasses BBQ Beef Ribs

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: January 19, 2021

LCBO: 16481