Category Archives: Red Wines

YALUMBA COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, Coonawarra, Australia

28 Wednesday Nov 2018

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking but solid Cab from Down Under that’s not sweet or overtly high in alcohol.

Positives: Dark cherry, plum, black currant, cassis, mint, turmeric, black olives and a light smokiness on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: June 8, 2018

LCBO: 460667

M XX270 SYRAH 2015, Vin De France, Corsica

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

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Cost: $25.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corsica
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave d’Aléria
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rare & unique wine from Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon, to Ontario. Need to try it just for that, and oh yes it’s pretty good too!

Positives: Easy drinking with medium+ tannin that features blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, spice, white pepper, some mint and violets on the nose. Needs decanting to fully open the wine up.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: July 26, 2018

LCBO: 571778

ALVENTO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $35.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvento Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality & Complexity coming to a Canadian Cab Sauv near you. Oh wait it’s here in this wine!

Positives: A juicy Cab featuring blackberry, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plums, blueberry, cassis, cloves, pencil shavings, turmeric, leather and vanilla. A wonderful pairing with rib-eye steak.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Thanks to the sales manager, Anita Cavén for introducing me to this wine.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 17, 2018

 

CORTE MEDICEA ATOS 2015, IGT, Tuscany, Italy

23 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in On The Fence, Red Wines

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Cost: $28.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bollina
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

I don’t know if I should like this or not as if I’m looking for a Merlot, this is atypical. However, if I’m searching for a Primitivo, this fits the taste profile.

Positives: Full body, oak driven featuring raisins, plum, dried prunes, figs, cherry, mocha, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and Christmas cake.

Negatives: Some heat from the listed 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: The bottle label has this as 14% alcohol, however LCBO web site puts it at 15%. I would lean more towards the 15%.

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

My Opinion: Not Recommended

Tasted: November 23, 2018

LCBO: 475996

ARISTOTLE PETITE SIRAH 2014, Monterey County, California, United States

21 Wednesday Nov 2018

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Petite Sirah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Scheid Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Slightly on the sweater side, but has enough substance to rise above the generic California reds

Positives: Blackberry, kirsch, mocha, plum, pencil shavings, leather and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: August 7, 2018

LCBO: 572321

CON SUR RESERVA ESPECIAL CARMENÈRE 2017, DO Valle del Cachapoal, Chile

16 Friday Nov 2018

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Carmenère
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Cachapoal Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, low tannin wine that’s a great alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, and it’s under the usual 14.5% alcohol that is normally associated with Carms

Positives: Black currants, blackberry, plums, blueberry, dark chocolate, cinnamon and cigar box.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 20, 2018

LCBO: 569657

CHÂTEAU DE VAUGELAS CORBIÈRES LE PRIEURÉ 2016, AOC, Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

08 Thursday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $14.05
Grape: Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, Corbières
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vignobles Bonfils
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite inexpensive, well made, great quality red.

Positives: Smooth with fine tannis that is full body having lush flavour and balanced. Features dark cherry, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, sage and vanilla.

Negatives: None

Challenge: Put this wine in a blind tasting with high end red blends, and see where it finishes in regards to peoples favourites. I would be surprised if it doesn’t finish at one of the top favourites. And this is only $14.05!

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Top Picks

Tasted: November 8, 2018

LCBO: 361691

VILLA PUCCINI CHIANTI RISERVA 2014, DOCG Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

17 Monday Sep 2018

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Michele Puccini
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great value Chianti Riserva that is smooth and juicy.

Positives: Sour cherry, raspberry, nutmeg, cinnamon, oregano and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Serve at 16 – 18 C

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 17, 2018

LCBO: 573519

CELLER EL MASROIG LES SORTS SYCAR 2013, DO Montsant

03 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Red Wines

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance price: $15.40)
Grape: Carignan, Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Montsant
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Celler Masboig
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Fruity with spice & easy drinking

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, all spice, leather, black & white pepper and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: I like the minimalist black label.

Drink now or in the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce.

Tasted: 28 September 2017

Best Buy at Clearance Price

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

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

LCBO: 481390

KACABA TERRACED VINEYARD 2013, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Sep 2017

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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120_2013_terraced-vineyard-syrah_syrah_du_monde

Cost: $30.15
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Kacaba Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, complex & delicious

Description: Medium to dark ruby to in colour with an intense nose. This wine features pine, sandalwood, kumquats, raspberry, blackberry, sour cherry, mulberry, white pepper, cloves, dried sage, forest floor & smoky dried peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body and tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting point: Kacaba’s Syrah elevates Canada’s red wine reputation.

Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Cherry Balsamic Reduction.

Tasted: 9 January 2017

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4