Category Archives: Red Wines

LONGSHOT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, California, United States of America

26 Tuesday May 2020

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.00 (Sale price until May 24, 2020: $14.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E & J Gallo
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This ain’t half bad for a commercially produced California Cab Sauvignon

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features sweet plums, blueberry jam, black cherries, blackberries, espresso, vanilla and cloves.

Negatives: Has just enough jammy sweetness that makes it on the fence for me.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with mushroom, sautéed onions, cheese burger.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: May 26, 2020

LCBO: 633347

DECOY MERLOT 2107, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

16 Saturday May 2020

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

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $28.00)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: USA
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duckhorn Wine Company
Alcohol:  14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Decoy Merlot is still one of my favourite Merlots & a great value for being under $35 for the quality you’re getting

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plum, mulberry, ripe tamarind, blackberry, tobacco leaves, cloves, Star Anise, and cinnamon.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 16, 2020

LCBO: 460642

JOSH CELLARS MERLOT 2018, California, United States of America

13 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until May 24, 2020: $16.95)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: USA
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Here’s a nice surprise: a California red that is below 14% alcohol, not sweet or flabby, has some complexity, it’s priced under $20 & oh yes, it’s nice to drink

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black & red currants, raspberries, arugula, mocha & vanilla

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: You won’t find this wine on Josh Cellars winery website, strange but true. I expect it is made for export only.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 13, 2020

LCBO: 638221

PENINSULA RIDGE RESERVE SYRAH 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Wednesday May 2020

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

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $17.30)
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Ontario Syrah made in the classic Rhone style & it’s great deal at the clearance price if you can find it

Tasting Note: Light+ ruby colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium to mild tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, mulberry, plum, clove, white & black peppers and a slight smokiness on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For some reason if you buy it at the winery, the cost is $30.15?!

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with braised beef short-ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 6, 2020

LCBO: 230896

CUVÉE L’ÉQUILIBRE 2016, AOC Pézenas, Coteaux de Languedoc, France

03 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir, 20%Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pézenas, Coteaux de Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Symposia
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious classic Southern French rustic style wine

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, plum, strawberry, white pepper, peppercorn, Allspice, tarragon, sandalwood & purple lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 2, 2020

LCBO: 298620

YALUMBA THE STRAPPER GSM 2016, Barossa Valley, Australia

01 Friday May 2020

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro (Mourvèdre)
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see a Shiraz from Australia that is under 14% alcohol, unfortunately for my taste it has a little too much jammy notes, but those that like low tannin wines will like this wine

Tasting Note: Medium to light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, low tannin & average length on the finish. Wine features plum, blueberry pie, strawberry jam & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with seared venison with blueberry sauce.

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: May 1, 2020

LCBO: 295873

REDSTONE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2016, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

27 Monday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Redstone Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Pricey; yes, but this is not your typical Ontario Cab Franc, which is usually simple with a lot of green peppers & twiggy notes. This one is smooth, juicy, complex & balanced

Tasting Note: Light ruby with a touch of garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannins & a long length on the finish. Wine features ripe redcurrants, plum, strawberry, kirsch, beets, sage & tobacco leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Besides the taste, I love the look of the bottle

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with garlic & rosemary balsamic roasted pork loin.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 27, 2020

MICHAEL KACABA RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

18 Saturday Apr 2020

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $50.15
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol:  14.9% Alcohol/Vol.

High-end Ontario Cab that shows why it’s on the expensive side

Tasting Note: Light garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & long length on the finish. Wine features sweet cherry, strawberry, plum, blueberry, mocha, vanilla, cinnamon and licorice.

Negative: High alcohol level

Interesting Point: Surprised by how light in colour this wine is for only being 5 years old.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped filet mignon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 18, 2020

PONDVIEW CABERNET MERLOT RESERVE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Thursday Apr 2020

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

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Cost: $24.95 (Sale price: $18.71)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Estate Winery
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality Ontario red wine that is smooth, delicious & has a beautiful smoked flowery bouquet/aroma

Tasting Note: Light ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & average length finish. Wine features cherry, blackberry, raspberry, mulberry, plum, cedar, vanilla, and violets & smoke on the nose.

Interesting Point: Great value at the sale price.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef

My Opinion:  Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 16, 2020

13th STREET WINERY ESSENCE PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

10 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: 13th Street Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic quality in the Burgundian style

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with mild tannin, high acidity, an intense nose & long finish. Wine features sour cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, wild mushrooms.

Interesting Point: Chill this pinot to 15 C, and use a balloon style stemware.

Pairings: As this wine has high acidity & will still age well over the next 7-10 years, it needs food to really complement it so pair it with rabbit Cacciatore.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: April 9, 2020