Category Archives: Red Wines

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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

VIENI BRIGANTI RESERVE 2014, VQA Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.95
Grape: Maréchal Fosch, Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better wines to represent Canada’s true hybrid grapes

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, cherry, blueberry, bramble fruit, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, Champagne mushrooms and smoked cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the balloon style Pinot Noir glassware & slightly chill the wine.

Brigantia was the goddess of the largest Celtic tribe in the north of England – the Brigantii. They constantly challenged Roman rule, and armed conflict frequently erupted when the confines of Pax Romana became unbearable. This defiance of convention echoes through the ages and the name “brigand” still describes one who plays outside the rules.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Lamb Kebabs.

Tasted: 21 July 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

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

MONASTERIO De Las VIÑAS RESERVA 2012, DOP Cariñena, Spain

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.95
Grape: Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cariñena
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cariñena
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Monasterio de las Viñas
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, easy drinking wine

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features oak, black cherry, plum, pepper, raspberry, vanilla and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with light average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 13.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Found it tasted better in the Tempranillo style glassware vs other styles.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Parmesan and Herb Crusted Beef Tenderloin.

Tasted: 20 July 2017

Score: 8.5/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17+/20

My Opinion: On The Fence

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO: 166579