• Profile
  • Services Available
  • Advertising Available

Twilight Wines

~ Making Your Wine Experience Even More Enjoyable

Twilight Wines

Category Archives: Red Wines

COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE RED 2020, IG Alentejano, Portugal

12 Monday Sep 2022

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $15.95
Grape: Trincadeira, Aragonez and Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Alentejo
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ravasqueira
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy, juicy dark fruits followed by spiciness. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, ripe tamarind, blackberries, mushrooms, truffles, cloves, Allspice & suede.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to 14 – 16C

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Ensopado de borrego (Lamb Stew)

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 10, 2022

LCBO: 11152

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

PALACIO DEL BURGO CRIANZA 2018, DOC Rioja, Spain

24 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas de Familia Burgo Viejo, S.L Alfaro
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Outstanding value for this delicious Crianza. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, low to medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, mulberry, vanilla & sandalwood.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Combination of stainless-steel vats & American oak barrels for 12 months

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

Best Buy

Tasted: August 22, 2022

LCBO: 18939

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

ROCHES NOIRES MACÉRATION 2019, AOC Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun, France

19 Friday Aug 2022

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.25)
Grape: 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This complex wine has everything: fruit, spice & earthiness. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, plum, black olives, Allspice, portobello mushrooms cocoa, white pepper, shale & leather.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Roast Fillet of Beef with Sage and Mushroom stuffing.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 17, 2022

LCBO: 251637

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

CHÂTEAU HAUT-MAZIÈRES 2019, AC Bordeaux, France

06 Saturday Aug 2022

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.95
Grape: 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Haut-Mazières
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely made, expressive with lots of fruits & spice. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, plum, mulberry, Allspice, turmeric, graphite & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Spent 12 months in oak barrels.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 5, 2022

LCBO: 487546

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

VAUCHER PÈRE & FILS FLEURIE 2020, AC Fleurie, Beaujolais, France

03 Wednesday Aug 2022

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $17.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Fleurie, Beaujolais
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vaucher Père & Fils
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth like silk, now this is what Gamay is supposed to taste like & all at an amazing price. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, light tannin, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherries, strawberry, raspberry, nectarines,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill the wine to 15C & use a balloon style glassware. Fleurie is named after a Roman general, Floricum, rather than for any floral traits in the wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with escargot.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 1, 2022

LCBO: 534339

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

VENTOUX GRANDE RÉSERVE DES CHALLIÈRES 2020, AOC Ventoux, Southern Rhône, France

19 Tuesday Jul 2022

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $12.40 (Sale price until July 17, 2022: $10.40)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Ventoux, Southern Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bonpas
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.


Best under $13 red I’ve tried to date. Smooth, elegant, light to medium body, nice balance of fruit & light spice. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity & medium intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, mulberry, black olives, thyme, baby spinach & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The south-facing slopes of Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse, which rises to 1,912 meters covering almost 6,700 hectares. The terroir is made of Limestone and marly scree.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with wooden oven pizza.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 18, 2022

LCBO: 20865

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

CHÂTEAU DE VAUGELAS LE PRIEURÉ 2019, AOP Corbières, France

10 Sunday Jul 2022

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $15.95
Grape: 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 25% Carignan, 5% Mourvedre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corbières
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bonfils Vins & Château
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Top notch Corbières; fruity & spicy. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, blueberry, mulberry, plum, licorice, black & white pepper, fennel, olives, leather & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: New label for my favourite Corbières, although I prefer the previous one as it was more classic. See my review of their 2016 vintage.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with PENNE ALLA VODKA Sautéed prosciutto with caramelized onions and tossed in a rosé sauce from Fat Cat Pizza restaurant St. Catharines.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 9, 2022

LCBO: 154617

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY UNFILTERED SHIRAZ 2020, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Canada

08 Friday Jul 2022

Posted by Twilight Wines in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but well-made wine at a great price that features dark fruit & spiciness. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with foaminess around the perimeter, good acidity, medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mulberry, plum, tamarind, black & white pepper, vanilla,

Negatives: Should be labelled Syrah not Shiraz as it’s not styled in the Australian way.

Interesting Point: The foaminess, which looks like soap, doesn’t seem to affect the wine & expect it’s due to the wine being Unfiltered. From Dr. Vinny from Wine Spectator: “Foam, and bubbles in general, are caused when the surface tension of water is decreased, which is how soap creates so many bubbles. Let’s assume that there isn’t soap in your decanter (but you should be sure you are rinsing them out thoroughly, just to be certain). That means there is something in the wine itself that is affecting the surface tension of the wine or the rinsing water.

There are two sources of surface-tension reduction in wine. The first is a protein that’s present in tannins. I tend to notice the foam phenomenon much more often in red wines than in whites, and there are more tannins in reds. Alcohol (ethanol) also has an effect on surface tension. So, you can expect a tannic, high-alcohol wine to yield the most foam among still wines.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Ribeye Steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 7, 2022

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

DRUMHELLER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

05 Sunday Jun 2022

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Drumheller Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made with a nice blend of fruits & spice without one overpowering the other, which all leads to a silky-smooth finish. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Medium to dark ruby with a garnet tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Crème de Cassis, ripe blackcurrants, blueberries, plums, tamarind, cola, turmeric, cassis, Allspice & graphite.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with braised wild boar shanks with sweet soy sauce & Star Anise.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 4, 2022

LCBO: 551473

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

BABU RESERVA 2018, Portugal

29 Sunday May 2022

Posted by Twilight Wines in On The Fence, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.95
Grape: Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Babu
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Straddles the jammy sweet side to full ripe berry notes. Luckily the price is palatable. Score: 87/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium, soft tannin, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, ripe blackberry, plum, cloves, cinnamon & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I recommend using the smaller Tempranillo glassware vs the larger Cab as the larger glassware brought more jammy sweet notes to the wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Leitão da bairrada

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: May 28, 2022

LCBO: 617175

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts
Newer posts →

Edward Rasiulis: Certified Sommelier

Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers whose reviews are published in LCBO Vintages Magazine, LCBO Stores & Wine Importers

What is Twilight Wines?

Twilight is sometimes defined as when something is approaching its end, especially in a gentle or peaceful way. It is universally known as that optimum moment between day and night, light and darkness. Twilight is that point when we have learned the lessons we are apt to learn and have spun our last breath, and told our last tale: our twilight years. It is that moment when everything and everyone is at its finest, when the earth and all its occupants pause for just a fraction of time in anticipation of what comes next. That is the moment at which all wine should be drank and with a little insight and a lot of luck, fate will allow us the moment in which this will occur. The luck my friend’s is totally of your own creation. Here in my domain, Twilight wines. I will endeavour to impart that insight.

Wine Categories

  • Amazing Buys
  • Best Buys
  • Canadian Wines
  • Champagne
  • Fortified & Desert Wine
  • Highly Recommended
  • Non LCBO Wine
  • Not Recommended
  • On The Fence
  • Recommended
  • Red Wines
  • Rosés
  • Sparkling Wine
  • Tasting Events
  • Top Picks
  • Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding
  • White Wines
  • Winery Review Series
    • 13th Street Winery
    • Colaneri Winery
    • Hope Family Wines
    • Icellars
    • Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
    • Niagara College Teaching Winery
    • Sono Montenidoli di Maria Elisabetta Fagiuoli

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 52 other subscribers

BAC Blood Alcohol Consumption Calculator

  • BAC Blood Alcohol Consumption Calculator

Blog Stats

  • 74,249 hits

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Twilight Wines
    • Join 52 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Twilight Wines
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: