Category Archives: Red Wines

MAGNOTTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CALIFORNIA, California, United States

17 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $10.50 (sale price: $9.50 until April 30, 2019)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & red blends
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the best generic inexpensive California Cab Sauv on the market, as it’s smooth but not sweet, not high in alcohol, fruit forward yet has some complexity to it, and it’s pleasant to drink

Positives: Medium to full body with light tannin featuring black currants, cherry, raspberry, sage, tomato leaves, vanilla and a touch of leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1) I usually abhor these generic reds especially ones that Magnotta has from outside Canada, but I like this one for BBQs, or opening a 2nd, 3rd wine? 2) There is no vintage on the label, 3) 75% of this wine is Cabernet Sauvignon from California with the rest are red grapes from Niagara, 4) New label, which is a lot nicer than the old one.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with anything from the BBQ.

My Opinion: Recommended

Amazing Buy

Tasted: April 11, 2019

FOUNDERS SELECT CABERNET FRANC 2016, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

06 Saturday Apr 2019

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: $44.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

On the pricier side of Canadian reds, but this Cab won’t disappoint in taste & smoothness

Positives: This wine features blackcurrants, black cherry, raspberry, anise, cassis, cigar box, leather, tarragon and roasted green peppers.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with slow cooked BBQ beef ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 6, 2019

WESTCOTT RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

30 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Champagne, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $46.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking Pinot full of flavour but over priced

Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry, mulberry, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and red roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill the wine to 15C

Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with roasted duck.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: March 30, 2019

WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

30 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Not Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $30.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A sweeter style Pinot, but without the high alcohol

Positives: Garnet in colour featuring cherry cola, blackberry, tarragon, vanilla, caramel and violets on the nose.

Negatives: A little too sweet for my taste

Ageability: Drink now or over couple of years on its own or pair it with Peking duck.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: March 30, 2019

KACABA MERLOT 2013, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

16 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid quality & nicely aged Canadian Merlot

Positives: This medium to full body wine features dark cherry, raspberry, elderberry, anise, cassis, cinnamon, mocha, tomato leaves and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with slow roasted brisket.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: March 16, 2019

NOMAD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday Mar 2019

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

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Cost: $23.95 (Clearance price: $19.20)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hinterbrook Estate Winery
Alcohol: 12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Canadian Cab that is full body, rich, smooth, easy drinking & all under 13% alcohol

Positives: Wine features dark cherry, blackberry, blackcurrants, mulberry, tamarind, mocha, vanilla and light smoked amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I bought this wine because I liked the drawing of the Great White Owl on its label. Glad the wine was good too.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with red wine pot roast.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: March 9, 2019

LCBO: 581132

VIÑA REAL CRIANZA 2014, DOC Rioja, Spain

24 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuela, Graciano & Garnacha
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas C.V.N.E
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Very easy drinking wine with substance & complexity

Positives: The oak is well integrated in this wine, which features cherry, raspberry, blackberry, red currants, dry herbs, cloves, cinnamon and a pretty nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: December 30, 2018

LCBO: 657411

STREWN TERROIR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Friday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $44.00
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Strewn Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Ontario does make exceptional red wines and this one is expressive, complex, powerful & delicious

Positives: Firm tannins follow dark cherry, blackberries, blackcurrants, turn tamarind, cassis, star anise, mocha, vanilla, dried herbs, eucalyptus, cinnamon, cloves, leather, turmeric, pencil shavings and tobacco leaves.

Negatives: None

Thanks to the winery’s resident sommelier; Juan Nunez-Sanchez, for selecting this wine for my beef tenderloin steak dinner.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with medium rare beef tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 22, 2019

WESTCOTT TEMPERANCE 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Monday Feb 2019

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A blend between to lighter style red wines, which results in a complex wine that is a pleasure to drink

Positives: Dark cherry, plums, raspberry, blackberry, cloves, dried herbs, Champagne mushrooms with light tannins and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill this wine

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 18, 2019

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive Pinot full of flavour with a touch of spice

Positives: Cherry, raspberry, mulberry, cinnamon, cloves, leather, vanilla and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Slightly chill the wine

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019