Category Archives: Red Wines

VIENI GAMAY NOIR 2016, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Pleasant bursting with fresh fruit that’s easy drinking & shows why more people should drink Gamay

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features wild cherries, boysenberry, strawberry, black pepper and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill to 15C and use the Balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with pizza topped with mushroom, pepperoni & tomatoes.

Tasted: 7 Aug 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended

VIENI PRIVATE RESERVE MERLOT 2012, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

03 Thursday Jan 2019

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Light & juicy merlot but overpriced

Description: Light to medium in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light oak, cherry, blueberry, raspberry, tamarind and arugula. Medium body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Beef tips in lemongrass and tamarind sauce.

Tasted: 29 July 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8/10 Total: 16.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3

My Opinion: On the Fence

CHÂTEAU LA BRANNE 2015, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc, France

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $28.74 (US)
Grape: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s, Cayman Islands
Country: France
Region: Medoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau La Branne
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Left Bank Bordeaux at a good price

Positives: A rich, juicy wine with mild tannins and featuring black cherry, boysenberry, mulberry, goji berry, plum, blackberry, anise, turmeric, pencil shavings, rubbed sage, dark chocolate  and leather.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years. Drink on its own or pair it with a leg of lamb salted meadow.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 2, 2019

VIENI PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Ontario, Canada

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Pinot’s at this price range

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, Rainier cherry, red apples, cinnamon and cloves. Medium+ body with light to medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chill the wine to 15C and use the Balloon style glassware

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Duck Breast with Apple Pomegranate Sauce.

Tasted: 27 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

My Opinion: Recommended

KACABA FOUNDERS SELECT CABERNET FRANC 2015, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

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: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

What a pleasure, smooth, rich in black fruit & really easy to drink

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium nose. This wine features blueberry, blackcurrants, blackberry, raspberry, dark cherry, white & black peppers, thyme, cinnamon and vanilla. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This Cab Franc is only available to Founder Club members. A reason to join the Club. Very & pleasantly surprised that such a young Cab Franc is so smooth.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Venison Steak with Shallot and Red Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 25 Aug 2017

Top Pick

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

CASTELLANI CHIANTI RESERVA 2014, Docg Chianti, Tuscany, Itlay

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castellani
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex just a quality DOCG Chianti Reserva at a great price

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium nose. This wine features sour cherry, pomegranates, leather, sage and cinnamon. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Tuscan Sausage Linguine with Zucchini, Chilies and Parmesan.

Tasted: 23 Aug 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 970707

BASILICA CAFAGGIO SINGLE ESTATE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012, Docg, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

27 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Basilia Cafagio
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, but smooth & pleasant to drink

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, sour cherry, raspberry, oregano, sage & mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with light to medium tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Pasta with Butternut Squash and Spicy Sausage.

Tasted: 18 Aug 2017

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 421107

LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

27 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95 (Clearance price: $12.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Mascota Vineyards
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Cab

Description: Medium ruby to purple in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, dried cherries, blackberry, black olives, raisin, plum, arugula & dried herbs. Medium+ body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Steak Burger with Tangy Caramelized Onions.

Tasted: 16 Aug 2017

Best buy at the clearance price

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 292110

VIENI ALLERIA RED 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

22 Saturday Dec 2018

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: 24.5% Cab Franc, 24.5% Cab Sauvignon, 23% Baco Noir, 20% Maréchal Fosch, 8% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An eclectic mix of classic & hybrid grapes that give you a nice experience

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked pine, strawberry, cherry, candy apple, and Champagne mushrooms. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Tried an open bottle that was 3 days old, and still very good.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Thyme and Spiced Rubbed Roast Beef.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

ESSENCE PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Ess11PinoNoir

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

An elegant Pinot

Positives: A beautiful aromatic Pinot, light garnet colour that features dry red cherry, cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Essence label is winemaker Jean-Paul Colas private label made at 13th Street Winery.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years. Drink on its own or pair it with smoked oysters.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 21, 2018