Category Archives: Red Wines

INVIVO PINOT NOIR 2022, Central Otago, New Zealand

07 Tuesday Jan 2025

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $26.10
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Invivo
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Central Otago Pinot Noir, even better that’s it’s under $30. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, strawberries, clove, cinnamon, leather, oyster mushrooms, forest floor, light smoke amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Duck with Honey, Soy, and Ginger.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: January 4, 2025

LCBO: 466029

FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Monday Dec 2024

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

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Cost: $22.10 (Sale price until Jan 5, 2025: $20.10)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Flat Rock Cellars
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Burgundian style at a great price for Ontario Pinot Noir. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, cranberries, black currants, oyster mushrooms, forest floor, light smoke amber on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand-picked, hand-sorted, small batch ferment, French oak barrels.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Duck with Honey, Soy, and Ginger.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 22, 2024

LCBO: 1545

TERRA MADRE PLAVAC MALI BARRIQUE 2018, Croatia

20 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $23.40
Grape: Plavac Mali
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Croatia
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Terra Madre
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant lighter style Plavac Mali featuring juicy fruit & spiciness. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, mocha, blackberries, figs, sage, peppers, vanilla, tomato leaves & wet stone.

Negatives: Heat from the 14% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Organic

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with Asiago cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 19, 2024

LCBO: 41288

SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY OLD VINE MERLOT 2020, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Monday Dec 2024

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

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Cost: $39.65
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better made Canadian Merlot showing elegance, beautiful fruit & balance. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, bramble fruit, cocoa, graphite, baby spinach,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Hand harvested from the Laundry vineyard located in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation. Grapes were destemmed and crushed before indigenous fermentation and malolactic conversion in oak vat. Following a total maceration time of 20 days, the grapes were gently pressed, and the wine settled before barrel aging for 15 months. Two barrels were selected (one of which was new oak) and blended to create this SIP club selection wine.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 to 6 years on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 14, 2024

TERRA TANGRA BLACK LABEL RUBIN, 2019, Sakar Mountain Vineyards, Bulgaria

28 Thursday Nov 2024

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

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $17.95)
Grape: Rubin
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Bulgaria
Region: Sakar Mountain Vineyards
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Terra Tangra
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant wine showing fruits & spiciness. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, plum, blackcurrants, blackberry, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, white & black pepper, arugula & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting: Bulgaria’s early-ripening Rubin: a cross between Nebbiolo and Syrah that was officially registered in Europe in 1944.

Winemaker’s Note: “The Black Label series highlights single-varietal wines that have been aged in 20% new oak.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 to 4 years on its own or pair it with wooden oven pizza.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 27, 2024

LCBO: 37744

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR OLD VINES 2023, VQA Ontario, Canada

27 Wednesday Nov 2024

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Dec 1/24: $17.95)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Exceptional value in quality for a premium winemaker of Baco Noir. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, blackcurrants, blackberry, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, peppercorn & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting:

Winemaker’s Note: “From old vines shovel-planted as far back as 1984 by the Speck Bros., Ontario’s Baco Noir pioneers.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 to 4 years on its own or pair it with Turkey dinner.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 26, 2024

LCBO: 459966

SANDBANKS RESERVE BACO NOIR, NV, VQA Ontario, Canada

26 Tuesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Canadian Wines, On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Dec 1/24: $16.95)
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Sandbanks Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

If you like commercial style Cali reds, but without the high alcohol or aggressively sweet wine, this wine is for you, especially at the sales price. Score: 83/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, intense nose, silky tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry pie, plum, blackberry, black & white peppers & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Winery sale price is $2 off regular vs $3 at LCBO

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or a couple years on its own or pair it with BBQ back ribs.

My Opinion: On-the-Fence (not recommended at regular price, but at sales price it’s okay).

Tasted: Nov 25, 2024

LCBO: 225920

13th STREET WINERY RESERVE MERLOT 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Oct 2024

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $49.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, mulberry, cocoa, vanilla, oak spice, cinnamon, cloves & light amber smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged in 100% French oak barrels (225L, 500L & 600L) for 18 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Filet Mignon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 25, 2024

13th STREET WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE, 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

19 Saturday Oct 2024

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $59.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A high-end, robust Cab with a price to match. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainer cherries, plum, wild blueberries, bramble fruit, pomegranate, cranberry, cassis, cloves, graphite, dark chocolate, arugula, vanilla & smoked oak on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Sourced from Lakeshore Farm vineyard, fermented with minimal intervention & selected from the top barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon following 20 months ageing.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years & pair it with Marinated Flank Steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Oct 17, 2024

RODNEY STRONG ESTATE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2020, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

18 Friday Oct 2024

Posted by in Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $29.95 (Sale Price until Nov. 10/24: $26.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rodney Strong
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body & flavour RRV Pinot without the high alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherries, plum, rhubarb, roasted beets, Shitake mushrooms, peat moss, vanilla & light toasted oak smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: For several years this wine had high alcohol of 14.5%. Thankfully they have lowered it now to a respectable 13.5%.

Winemaker’s Note: “10 months in French oak barrels, 30% new”.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 6 – 8 years on its own or pair it with Steak Tartare.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: Oct 17, 2024

LCBO: 954834