Category Archives: Red Wines

KACABA PROPRIETORS BLOCK SYRAH 2013, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Sep 2017

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $30.35
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

For those that think Ontario can’t make good red wines, try this one

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, cherry, tamarind, grilled red pepper, white pepper and red roses on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Such a beautiful nose.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Lamb Chops with Red Wine and Figs.

Tasted: 15 Aug 2017

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

SCHOLA SARMENTI ROCCAMORA NARDÓ 2013, DOC Nardó, Apulia, Italy

18 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95 (Clearance price: $13.60)
Grape: Negroamaro
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Nardó, Apulia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Schola Sarmenti
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smokey with lots of spice with a mouthful of flavour

Description: Dark ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, dried cherry, raisins, blackberry, cloves, cinnamon, white & black pepper and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I like the label

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Pasta Arrabbiata.

Tasted: 14 Aug 2017

Best Buy & Amazing buy at the clearance price

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

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

LCBO: 379768

KANONKOP ESTATE WINE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Simonsberg Stellenbosch, South Africa

16 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $48.00 (Clearance price: $33.65)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Simonsberg Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kanonkop Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive Cab, but on the expensive side

Description: Medium to dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine oak, blackcurrants, blackberry, plum, raspberry, turmeric, espresso, cassis, and tomato leaves. Full body with medium to medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Touch hot from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Note: A lot of information about this wine on the back label, which is nice to see.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Sage Rubbed Lamb Chops.

Tasted: 25 July 2017

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

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

LCBO: 403964

COLUMBIA CREST WALTER CLORE PRIVATE RESERVE 2007, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

12 Saturday Aug 2017

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $49.99 Cayman Islands
Grape: 65.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32.1% Merlot, 2.7% Cab Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Blackbeard’s Grand Cayman
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Crest
Alcohol: 14.4% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Columbia Valley Bordeaux style wine that doesn’t disappoint

Description: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, boysenberry, blackberry, cherry, prunes, dark chocolate, coconut, vanilla, turmeric, pencil shavings, cloves, anise and Portobello mushrooms on the nose. Medium+ body with medium 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 Braised Lamb with Peppers and Oregano.

Tasted: 2 Aug 2017

Top Pick

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

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

COLUMBIA WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

12 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Mouvèdre, 7% Syrah, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich Cab with candied dark fruits that’s below 14% alcohol

Description: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, plum, ripe tamarind, blackcurrant, Christmas cake, leather, white pepper, mocha, toffee Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Columbia Winery’s new label is a 1,000 times better than the old one, which was to simplistic & non imaginative.

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Smoked Onion and Gruyere Cheese Tarts.

Tasted: 10 Aug 2017

Best Buy

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: 460675

THE FOREIGN AFFAIR: THE CONSPIRACY 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95 (Sale price: $17.95 until 16 July 2017)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Foreign Affair Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice well balanced Ontario red for under $20

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, blackcurrants, cherry, plum, blackberry, turmeric, clove and eucalyptus on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Done in the Ripasso method of drying of the grapes giving the wine more richness & depth.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Roasted Châteaubriand with Red Wine-Mushroom Reduction and Pommes Puree.

Tasted: 11 July 2017

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 149237

BERONIA RIOJA, TEMPRANILLO, ELABORACION ESPECIAL 2014, Rioja, Spain

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja style that’s smooth and delicious at a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features sandalwood, strawberry, dark cherry, pomegranate, grilled red peppers, cloves, cinnamon, cigar box, oregano, vanilla and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Steak with Olive Salsa.

Tasted: 21 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 426981

RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

22 Saturday Jul 2017

Posted by in Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $30.00
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Alexander Valley Cab, but alcohol tries to overwhelm the fruit flavours

Description: Deep ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, black currants, boysenberry, cinnamon, cloves, smoked, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather and purple lilac on the nose. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and long length.

Negatives: Too much heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Previous vintage that I reviewed was the 2012, which was far superior to the 2014.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with London Broil drizzled with Onion Marmalade .

Tasted: 28 February 2017

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

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

LCBO: 350454

GENESIS XINOMAVRO MERLOT 2014, Pgi Macedonia, Greece

22 Saturday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95 (Clearance price: $13.60)
Grape: Xinomavro & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Macedonia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kechris & Company
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, tasteful wine that is a great buy

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, tamarind, blackberry, red & black pepper, cassis, tobacco leaves and cherry pipe tobacco on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Love the nose on this wine. Reminds of wines from Graves.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with a medley of Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Peppers and Beets served with Grilled Flank Steak.

Tasted: 20 June 2017

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at clearance price

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 465914

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS SMALL LOT MERLOT 2013, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Jul 2017

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $21.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy yet firm, one of the better Ontario Merlot’s for under $25

Description: Medium bronze in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, black cherry, blackcurrants, plum, blueberry, anise, cassis, tobacco leaves, green peppers, rosemary and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 of years on its own or pair it with Mediterranean Lamb Burgers.

Tasted: 4 July 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4