Category Archives: Red Wines

40 CASTAS RESERVA TINTO 2021, DOC Dona Doroteia Valley, Douro Valley, Portugal

26 Saturday Apr 2025

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Cost: $13.76
Grape: 40 wine varieties, manly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca & Tinta Roriz
Category: Red Wine
Location:
Country: Portugal
Region: Dona Doroteia Valley, Douro Valley
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Nuno de Oliveira
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Vibrant & juicy wine, but with a lot of heat from the high alcohol. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mulberry, blueberry pie, plum & cherry cola.

Negatives: High alcohol

Interesting Point: 40 Castas depicts that there are 40 different varietals that this wine is made of.

Winemaker’s Point: Wine made in traditional Lagares with a small aging in oak barrels.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Cozido à Portuguesa (Mixed Meat Boil).

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 21, 2025

13th STREET WINERY ESSENCE SYRAH 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Mar 2025

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: $44.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complexed, smooth, elegant brimming with fruits & spiciness. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing Cherries, plums, mulberries, dark chocolates, Allspice, vanilla, white & black peppers, cloves, cinnamon & baby arugula.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: “Sourced mainly from the Wismer Vineyard in Vineland with a small amount from AJ Lepp nearer to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Manually harvested in late October and moved to the winery immediately for sorting, crushing and destemming followed by cold soaking to extract the bright fruit and floral notes. Fermentation and maceration in stainless steel tanks lasted roughly 21 days and the wine was moved to 100% French oak barrels consisting of primarily 2nd and 3rd use with some older wood. After malolactic fermentation was completed, the wine rested on fine lees with regular racking for 14 months when the final blend was conceived and the wine was bottled.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Pig.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 27, 2025

FAMILLE PERRIN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2022, AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

13 Thursday Mar 2025

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

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Cost: $43.95
Grape: Syrah & Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Famille Perrin
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Complexed, smooth, elegant with layers of flavours & spiciness. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing Cherries, plums, tamarind, mulberries, dark chocolates, Allspice, vanilla bean, white & black peppers & baby arugula.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Ageing
“From the month of August onwards we carry out maturity checks and taste the berries regularly to determine the optimum harvest date. Each grape variety is harvested separately. On arrival at the cellar the berries are sorted. Part of the Syrah is vinified in whole clusters and the remainder, plus the Grenache, is destemmed. Vinification is in wooden and stainless-steel vats using the same methods as for the Château de Beaucastel wines. The wines are then tasted to determine the blend, and finally aged in foudres for 2 years.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Wild Boar with wine mushroom sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 11, 2025

LCBO: 926626

TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2024, D.O. Valle Del Maipo, Chile

28 Friday Feb 2025

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Cost: $20.80 (Clearance price: $20.25
Grape: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, and 2% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Valle Del Maipo
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vina Tarapacá
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body, elegant, lots of flavour with fruits & spices all a great price point. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, mulberry, raspberry, black currents, white pepper, tobacco leaves, anise, cloves, leather, granite & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with ribeye tacos.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: February 26, 2025

LCBO: 37868

KACABA RESERVE MERLOT 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

12 Wednesday Feb 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $ 69.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A full body, expressive Merlot showing great taste & depth. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plums, strawberries, blueberries, figs, spinach leaves, cassis, anise, pencil shavings, cocoa, baking spice & vanilla

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: French & American oak barrels for 17 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 8 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 11, 2025

INVIVO PINOT NOIR 2022, Central Otago, New Zealand

07 Tuesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $26.10
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Invivo
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Central Otago Pinot Noir, even better that’s it’s under $30. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, strawberries, clove, cinnamon, leather, oyster mushrooms, forest floor, light smoke amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Duck with Honey, Soy, and Ginger.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: January 4, 2025

LCBO: 466029

FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Monday Dec 2024

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Cost: $22.10 (Sale price until Jan 5, 2025: $20.10)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Burgundian style at a great price for Ontario Pinot Noir. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, cranberries, black currants, oyster mushrooms, forest floor, light smoke amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand-picked, hand-sorted, small batch ferment, French oak barrels.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Duck with Honey, Soy, and Ginger.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 22, 2024

LCBO: 1545

TERRA MADRE PLAVAC MALI BARRIQUE 2018, Croatia

20 Friday Dec 2024

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Cost: $23.40
Grape: Plavac Mali
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Croatia
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Terra Madre
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant lighter style Plavac Mali featuring juicy fruit & spiciness. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, mocha, blackberries, figs, sage, peppers, vanilla, tomato leaves & wet stone.

Negatives: Heat from the 14% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Organic

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with Asiago cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 19, 2024

LCBO: 41288

SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY OLD VINE MERLOT 2020, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Monday Dec 2024

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

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Cost: $39.65
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better made Canadian Merlot showing elegance, beautiful fruit & balance. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, bramble fruit, cocoa, graphite, baby spinach,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand harvested from the Laundry vineyard located in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. Grapes were destemmed and crushed before indigenous fermentation and malolactic conversion in oak vat. Following a total maceration time of 20 days, the grapes were gently pressed, and the wine settled before barrel aging for 15 months. Two barrels were selected (one of which was new oak) and blended to create this SIP club selection wine.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 14, 2024

TERRA TANGRA BLACK LABEL RUBIN, 2019, Sakar Mountain Vineyards, Bulgaria

28 Thursday Nov 2024

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $17.95)
Grape: Rubin
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Bulgaria
Region: Sakar Mountain Vineyards
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Terra Tangra
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant wine showing fruits & spiciness. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, plum, blackcurrants, blackberry, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, white & black pepper, arugula & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting: Bulgaria’s early-ripening Rubin: a cross between Nebbiolo and Syrah that was officially registered in Europe in 1944.

Winemaker’s Note: “The Black Label series highlights single-varietal wines that have been aged in 20% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with wooden oven pizza.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 27, 2024

LCBO: 37744