Category Archives: Red Wines

PELLER ESTATES SIGNATURE SERIES MERLOT 2012, VQA Four Mile Creek, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $48.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates
Alcohol: 14.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A high end Canadian red that deserves the high end price tag

Description: Dark ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoky oak, plum, raspberry, black cherry, blackcurrants, blackberry, tamarind, black tea, cassis, anise, cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa, tobacco leaves, leather and violets on the nose. Full body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch of heat from the 14.2% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington.

Tasted: 15 July 2017

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

Top Pick

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

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

CICLOS ICONO MALBEC MERLOT 2012, Calchaqies Valley, Salta, Argentina

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: 50% Malbec, 50% Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Calchaqies Valley, Salta
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Grupo Penaflor Sa
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth & delicious

Description: Dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, blackberry, mulberry, cassis, anise, roasted almonds, vanilla bean, black peppers and shitake mushrooms. Medium+ body with good acidity, long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I have to admit, I bought this wine because I liked the label. Glad that it was a good wine.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years

Tasted: 9 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

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

LCBO: 37895

MELINI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2009, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

20 Thursday Dec 2018

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 4 Nov 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Melini Casa Fondata
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, a delight to drink & a 2009 for under $20

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light cedar, cherry, raspberry, leather and sage. Medium body with good acidity a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I like the classic label.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 23 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5+/10) Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 487819

KACABA RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious Pinot, but for a price

Description: Garnet gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine cedar, cherry, raspberry, rhubarb, cherry tobacco, cinnamon, nutmeg, Champagne mushrooms and autumn forest leaves. Medium body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: High end Ontario Pinot Noirs are rivalling the worlds best.

Drink now or in the next 7-10 of years

Tasted: 12 November 2017

Top Pick

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

Highly Recommended

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

BERINGER KNIGHTS VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, Sonoma County, California, United States

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beringer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, juicy, complex & delicious, but for a price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black currants, plum, dark cherry, raspberry, cherry tobacco, tamarind, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, anise, nutmeg and cocoa. Full body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: 2015 was far better than the 2014 vintage

Drink now or in the next 4-7 of years

Tasted: 24 November 2017

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 18/20

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 352583

BELLA TERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $39.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pondview Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

One dimensional Cab that’s over priced

Positives: Black currants, blackberries, cigar box, cloves, turmeric and leather

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: December 18, 2018

DOMAINE VOARICK CLOS PARADISE MERCUREY 1er CRU 2014, Ac Mercurey, Burgundy, France

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $36.95 (Clearance price: $25.90)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mercury, Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Voarick
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Rustic Pinot this good, just over priced

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, pomegranate, sour cherry, strawberry, mushrooms, cinnamon, dry forest leaves and smoked oysters on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Lightly chill the wine and serve in a Balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the 4-5 of years on its own or pair it with marinated game.

Tasted: 25 December 2017

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5/10 (Clearance price: 9/10) Total: 17+/20 (Clearance price: 18/20)

Recommended

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

LCBO: 86603

CLOS DU BOIS SONOMA RESERVE MERLOT 2014, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

12 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Clos du Bois
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Competes with higher end Napa Merlots but at half the price. Reminds me of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon ($103.95 vs $24.95).

Positives: Yummy, smooth, juicy, rich in flavours, black fruits, spices well balanced between oak, fruit and acidity.

Negatives: Corrugated cork decreases ageing potential. High alcohol of 14.5%, but it’s well integrated.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years.

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: February 13, 2018

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

LCBO: 34900

SIMI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

12 Wednesday Dec 2018

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Simi Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This shouldn’t disappoint people looking for a quality Cab from one of my favourite wine areas in the world, Alexander Valley.

Positives: Lower price than most Cabs from Alexander Valley. Not a heavy wine, but still having a good mix of red and black fruit along with moderate tannins and good acidity.

Negatives: Corrugated cork decreases ageing potential.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years.

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 15, 2018

LCBO: 25221

SOLANERA VIÑAS VIEJAS 2015, Spain

12 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 65% Monastrell, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Garnacha Tintorera
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Viñas Viejas
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

And now for something different

Positives: A woodsy style wine with notes of mushroom and unagi complimented by a mix of dark fruits.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 years.

Best Buy

My Opinion: On the Fence

Tasted: February 16, 2018

LCBO: 276162