Category Archives: Red Wines

PANTOCRATOR 2005, DOC Rioja Alta, Spain

03 Monday Feb 2020

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

≈ 2 Comments


Cost: $37.95 (Clearance price: $30.40)
Grape: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja Alta
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Tarón
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich, complex & powerful aged Tempranillo

Positives: Ruby to garnet in colour, this wine features cherry, raisin, Allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, liquorice, black pepper, peppermint, leather and smoked wood.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Traditional winemaking that entails ageing the two varieties separately in American oak barrels for twelve months. The wines are then blended and returned to the barrels, where they spend another six months. After ageing, the wine is left for 12 months in steel tanks, where it is further refined, and then it is ready for bottling.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb, medium rare.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 3, 2020

LCBO: 12181

CHÂTEAU DE TRÉVIAC CORBIÈRES 2017, AOP Corbières, Languedoc, France

23 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $17.95 (Clearance price: $14.40)
Grape: 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corbières, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Tréviac
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerhouse red, in classic Southern French style, at a great price

Positives: Dark ruby in colour this wine features blackberry, plum, pepper (black & white), thyme, sage, rosemary, oregano, leather and Liguria olives.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Coq au Vin.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy and Amazing Buy at sale price

Tasted: January 23, 2020

LCBO: 670505

HAVENS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

14 Tuesday Jan 2020

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $27.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon with some Petit Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Havens Winery
Alcohol:  14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A California Cab with substance and under $30

Positives: Inky ruby to purple in colour this wine features plum, dark cherry, bramble fruit, dark chocolate, leather, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, pencil shavings and smoked amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 14, 2020

LCBO: 13241

TOM THOMSON 100th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION ALGONQUIN RED 2018, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.15
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Excellent value red from Ontario made in Bordeaux style

Positives: Dark ruby in colour this wine features cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, pomegranate, turmeric, green peppers, pencil shavings, leather, spinach leaves

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Current vintage is far superior than the last one.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with grilled T-Bone steak.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 2, 2019

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST PRESIDENT’S RED 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Nov 2019

Posted by in 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: $31.15
Grape: 43% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of Ontario best blended red wines that is fruit forward with complexity & structure

Positives: Deep ruby to purple in colour having medium tannins and featuring blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, fennel, black & white pepper, cloves, vanilla and spinach leaves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Spent 21 months in French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 8, 2019

MISSION HILL OCULUS 2007, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

25 Friday Oct 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $70.00
Grape: 50% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mission Hill Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

After 12 years in the bottle, this Oculus is still showing its complexity & flavours

Positives: Dark garnet in colour with an intense nose, this wine features plum, dates, blackberry, blueberry pie, Champagne mushrooms, tobacco, vanilla, turmeric, coffee, black pepper, black olives and leather.

Negatives: Lots of heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Current vintage in store, 2013, now sells for $130

Ageability: Drink now on its own or pair it with prime rib Au Jus.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 25, 2019

LCBO: 9316

FRANCISCAN MERLOT 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

14 Monday Oct 2019

Posted by in Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $35.60 USD
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Black Beards, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Franciscan
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A very pleasant Merlot that is well balanced with nice dark fruit

Positives: Deep ruby to purple in colour having medium tannins and featuring mulberry, plum, dark cherry, blackberry, cola, cherry tobacco, dark chocolate, black pepper and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled meats.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: October 14, 2019

CERRO AŃON RESERVA 2014, Doca Rioja, Spain

04 Friday Oct 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $20.95
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano & Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Olarra
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious, Rioja at its best

Positives: Deep ruby to garnet in colour with medium tannin this wine features cherry, raspberry, plum, ripe tamarind, Kirsch, sandalwood, leather, champagne mushroom, sage, arugula, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: Slight heat from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: Spent 20 months in American and French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with macadamia nut encrusted rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 4, 2019

LCBO: 114306

BURIED CANE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

27 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Buried Cane Winery
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A full body, smooth & expressive Cab that’s is also well balanced

Positives: Medium+ purple to ruby in colour with medium tannin, this wine features dark cherry, plum, tamarind, blackberry, blueberry, cassis, turmeric, leather, cedar, spinach leaves

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Buried Cane” refers to the practice of burying grapevine canes to protect them from freezing the cold Washington winters.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 27, 2019

LCBO: 402081

RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, Napa Valley, California, United States of America

13 Friday Sep 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $39.95 (Clearance Price: $32.00)
Grape: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rutherford Ranch
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical plush high alcohol Napa Cab, this one is bright, juicy with finesse

Positives: Medium to dark ruby in colour, this wine features, black & red currants, black cherry, red plums, spearmint, vanilla and dark chocolate.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: It’s becoming a rarity now days to have a red wine from California below 14% alcohol.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 11, 2019

LCBO: 73817