Category Archives: Red Wines

MON FRÈRE PINOT NOIR 2018, California, United States of America

07 Saturday Jan 2023

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

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Cost: $ 21.99 KYD
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mon Frère
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

I love it when I get impressed by a California Pinot that’s not high in alcohol, not made in the commercial & it’s under $25. This Pinot is made more like in the Willamette Valley style, & it is elegant, bright & well made. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, some plum, rhubarb, clove & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: ‘A blend of Sonoma Coast vineyards, Santa Rita Hills Vineyards in Santa Barbara and Santa Lucia Highlands and Vineyards in Monterey. A full spectrum of Pinot Noir clones are represented in this wine.” (Winery)

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: January 5, 2023

WENTE SOUTHERN HILLS CABERNET 2019, Livermore Valley, California, United States of America

08 Thursday Dec 2022

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth wine with some sweet fruit but it’s contained by the acidity and being under 14% alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, Bing cherries, mulberry, blueberry, cocoa, cloves, cinnamon & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Originally reviewed 2014 vintage in 2018, and the price is still the same today. That’s unprecedented!

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 5, 2022

LCBO: 301507

DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL HERES 2015, AC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France

03 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $106.00
Grape: Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine du Grand Tinel
Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a heavy wine considering the high alcohol, but a very powerful wine on the nose, yet elegant on the taste. Should please those with eclectic taste. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, grilled plum, black tea, Kalamon olives, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, crushed gravel & wild mushrooms on the nose.

Negatives: 15.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: “Issued from very old vines grown on ‘La Gardole’ quarter, on a sandy soil, conducted without pesticides and by hand-harvest. Produced in exceptional vintages only. Very limited production.” (Winery)

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 2, 2022

LCBO: 24741

GRAND VIN DU CHÂTEAU CITRAN 2010, AC Haut-Médoc, France

30 Wednesday Nov 2022

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

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Cost: $55.00 (Clearance Price: $38.55)
Grape: 55% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Haut-Médoc
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Citran
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a wine with plenty of expression that is elegant, fine and racy. Still several more years left to enjoy this wine. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, plush tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, mulberry, blackcurrant, sautéed Oyster mushrooms, tar, cocoa, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, baby spinach, graphite & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Thermoregulation on each tank. Traditional vinification (T 28°C). Malolactic fermentations partially made in new barrels. 38% of new barrels in French oak. Traditional ageing with racking every three months. Fining with white eggs. Bottling at the Château.” (Winery)

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 29, 2022

LCBO: 24738

CELLIER DES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE GRENACHE SYRAH 2019, AC Côtes du Rhône, France

13 Sunday Nov 2022

Posted by in Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Grenache 40% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Rhône
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cellier des Dauphins
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Has a fruit sweetness that I personally don’t like, but others may. Score: 79/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, raspberry, red currant, Maraschino cherry, chocolate, tobacco, white pepper & ripe tamarind.

Negatives:

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 -4 years on its own or pair it with Italian sausages.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: November 10, 2022

LCBO: 14081

CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2018, AC Bordeaux, France

27 Thursday Oct 2022

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Darriet Family
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, fruit forward wine that’s easy to drink, very good quality especially at the price. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, mulberry, raspberry, dark chocolate, tobacco leaves, turmeric, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged in tanks for 18 months.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 22, 2022

LCBO: 426247

CHÂTEAU LARROGUE 2018, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France

25 Sunday Sep 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ducourt
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Good quality for the price. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, raspberry, cassis, cocoa, tobacco, vanilla, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 24, 2022

LCBO: 92536

CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2018, AC Bordeaux, France

19 Monday Sep 2022

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot 80%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Les Tourelles
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Intense fruit & spicy flavours showing great quality all at a really good price point. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium to dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, raspberry, cinnamon, cloves, tobacco, turmeric, vanilla, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 16, 2022

LCBO: 426247

CHÂTEAU VAUGELAS LE PRIEURÉ 2019, AOP Corbières, France

14 Wednesday Sep 2022

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

Not your usual Corbières style as it’s light fruity, but still very pleasant & easy drinking. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mulberry, strawberry, nectarine, black cherry, white pepper, vanilla,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 12, 2022

LCBO: 154617

COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE RED 2020, IG Alentejano, Portugal

12 Monday Sep 2022

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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